Abstract: The invention provides a microscope examination apparatus including a light source; an illumination optical system configured to guide light from the light source to a specimen; an objective lens configured to collimate return light from the specimen, the objective lens being provided in such a manner as to be displaceable at least in a direction intersecting an optical axis of the objective lens; an image-forming lens configured to image the return light from the specimen, which is collimated by the objective lens; an optical detector configured to detect the return light imaged by the image-forming lens; a microscope main body including the image-forming lens and the optical detector; and an objective-lens driving mechanism configured to drive the objective lens in a direction correcting image blur due to a displacement of the specimen.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a light source and an objective unit. The objective unit includes an objective optical system, including a small-diameter distal optical system arranged at an end brought near to or into contact with a specimen, for focusing light from the light source onto the specimen; a threaded mount at a coupling position; and an outer cylinder enclosing the small-diameter distal optical system. The microscope system further includes an imaging optical system for forming an image of light from the specimen through the objective optical system and a microscope main body for housing the imaging optical system. The objective unit is detachable from and attachable to the microscope main body with the threaded mount. Conditional expression Df/Da?0.3 is satisfied, where Df represents the outer diameter of the outer cylinder and Da represents the outer diameter of the threaded mount.

Abstract: The invention reduces the loss of fluorescence intensity obtained from a specimen to acquire clear fluorescence images when irradiating the specimen with ultrashort-pulse laser light produced by a laser light source. The invention provides a laser-scanning examination apparatus including a laser light source for producing ultrashort-pulse laser light; a laser light source for producing continuous-wave laser light; a measurement head including an optical scanning unit for scanning the laser light on a specimen and an objective optical system; an imaging unit for detecting return light from the specimen in response to the ultrashort-pulse laser light; and an imaging unit for detecting return light from the specimen in response to the continuous-wave laser light. The laser light sources and one imaging unit are connected to the measurement head by an optical fiber, and the other imaging unit is connected to the measurement head by another optical fiber with a larger core diameter.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an illumination light source emitting illumination light, a small-diameter image-transmitting portion, a distal end of which is placed near a specimen, an objective lens converging the illumination light to a proximal end of the image-transmitting portion, a light-detecting portion that detects light returned from the specimen via the image-transmitting portion and the objective lens, and a shield portion partially blocking the illumination light, the shield portion being disposed at near a pupil position of the objective lens or near a position optically conjugate with the pupil position so as to cover the illumination light path on one side in a radial direction. With this configuration, a sharp image with low noise can be obtained by preventing the occurrence of reflection at the proximal end of the image-transmitting portion and also by avoiding autofluorescene from being produced.

Abstract: The invention provides a microscope examination apparatus including a light source; an illumination optical system configured to guide light from the light source to a specimen; an objective lens configured to collimate return light from the specimen, the objective lens being provided in such a manner as to be displaceable at least in a direction intersecting an optical axis of the objective lens; an image-forming lens configured to image the return light from the specimen, which is collimated by the objective lens; an optical detector configured to detect the return light imaged by the image-forming lens; a microscope main body including the image-forming lens and the optical detector; and an objective-lens driving mechanism configured to drive the objective lens in a direction correcting image blur due to a displacement of the specimen.

Abstract: An object is to easily and reliably reach an examination site. The present invention provides an examination method of carrying out in-vivo examination using an in-vivo examination apparatus capable of fluorescence examination and reflected-light examination and includes the steps of setting a reference position so as to set an examination site by carrying out reflected-light examination, switching from reflected-light examination to fluorescence examination, and moving from the reference position to the examination site.

Abstract: A compact laser-scanning microscope that allows in-vivo observation, particularly of cells, with wavelengths ranging from the visible to the infra-red, can be provided. The laser-scanning microscope includes a laser light source unit, an optical fiber, a collimator optical system, an optical scanning unit, a pupil projection optical system, an objective optical system, and a detection optical system that detects fluorescence or reflected light from the specimen, via the objective optical system, the pupil projection optical system, the optical scanning unit, the collimator optical system and the optical fiber. The objective optical system can be attached to and detached from the pupil projection optical system near the intermediate image position.

Abstract: The invention provides a multiphoton-excitation-type examination apparatus that efficiently generates a multiphoton-excitation effect, that makes the measurement head compact, and that can be easily adjusted when the measurement head is replaced. The multiphoton-excitation-type examination apparatus comprises a laser light source that oscillates ultrashort pulsed laser light; an optical fiber that transmits the ultrashort pulsed laser light from the laser light source; a support member; a measurement head supported on the support member so as to be movable upwards and downwards and at an angle, and having an optical system that irradiates a specimen with the ultrashort pulsed laser light transmitted by the optical fiber that measures fluorescence or reflected light coming from the specimen; and a dispersion-compensating member, in the measurement head, that compensates for group velocity dispersion of the ultrashort pulsed laser light irradiated onto the specimen.

Abstract: An objective optical system whose outer diameter is reduced, whose overall length is increased, in which chromatic aberrations are well corrected, and which is suitable for in-vivo examination with a high numerical aperture is realized.

Abstract: The invention aims to make it unnecessary to reposition an objective lens when repeatedly carrying out examinations. It is possible to carry out in vivo examination of tissue such as cells and muscle tissue or various internal organs, such as the heart, liver, and so forth, of mammals, especially small experimental animals, over a comparatively long period of time. A microscope system having an objective optical system unit and a structure or member for fixing the objective optical system unit to a living body is provided.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus has an optical scanning probe configured to irradiate low-coherence light onto a subject and to perform photo-reception of light scattered at the subject, and an observation device adapted to construct a cross-section image of the subject based on information from the light received through the optical scanning probe. The optical scanning probe is detachably connected to the observation device.

Abstract: By reducing the outer diameter, increasing the overall length, and correcting chromatic aberration well, the invention realizes an objective optical system and examination apparatus that are suitable for in-vivo examination with a sufficiently increased length and widened observation range. The invention provides a compact objective optical system and an examination apparatus comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens group having positive power; a second lens group including a compound lens; a third lens group formed of a biconvex lens; a fourth lens group having positive power and including a compound lens; and a fifth lens group having positive power. Joining surfaces of the compound lens included in the second lens group and the compound lens included in the fourth lens group have negative power.

Abstract: The invention provides a multiphoton-excitation-type examination apparatus that efficiently generates a multiphoton-excitation effect, that makes the measurement head compact, and that can be easily adjusted when the measurement head is replaced. The multiphoton-excitation-type examination apparatus comprises a laser light source that oscillates ultrashort pulsed laser light; an optical fiber that transmits the ultrashort pulsed laser light from the laser light source; a support member; a measurement head supported on the support member so as to be movable upwards and downwards and at an angle, and having an optical system that irradiates a specimen with the ultrashort pulsed laser light transmitted by the optical fiber that measures fluorescence or reflected light coming from the specimen; and a dispersion-compensating member, in the measurement head, that compensates for group velocity dispersion of the ultrashort pulsed laser light irradiated onto the specimen.

Abstract: Before performing observation with an optical scanning probe using a low-coherence light source and the like, a shutter is inserted in a reference light side optical path to create a state wherein interference light does not occur, in which state a reference member is set to a focal position of a converging optical system such that the output of a light detector is maximal by moving the reference member by a driving device at an observation light optical path side of an optical scanning probe, following which the shutter is opened, and the position of a mirror at the reference light side is moved and set such that the output of the light detecting means is maximal, thereby enabling the optical scanning observation apparatus to be set to a state of suitable optical properties, easily and smoothly.

Abstract: The present invention reduces or removes the need to clean an objective lens, thus simplifying the observation procedure, prevents bacteria or contamination from adhering to the objective lens, and protects the objective lens from external force that would be exerted during cleaning. The invention includes an optically transparent covering configured to cover at least an end surface of an objective lens; and an attaching mechanism configured to attach the covering to the objective lens.

Abstract: A control portion of an optical image pickup apparatus includes a scan driver, a lock-in amplifier, and an A/D converter. The scan driver outputs a predetermined drive signal to a Y-scanning mirror and an X-scanning mirror and scans the Y-scanning mirror and the X-scanning mirror. The lock-in amplifier detects a signal level Vout of a frequency component of the drive signal of the scan driver among signals detected by a detector portion. The A/D converter converts a signal detected by a detector portion and a signal level of the detected signal of a frequency component of a drive signal detected by the lock-in amplifier to digital signals and outputs the digital signals to an image processor. Thus, mirror scan operations of the scanning mirrors can be securely detected.

Abstract: The present invention makes an objective lens easier to handle during disinfection or sterilization and protects the objective lens during, for example, transport, storage, or handling. The present invention provides an objective-lens protector including a substantially ring-shaped mounting portion surrounding a circumference of an objective lens, the mounting portion detachably mounted on the objective lens such that a threaded mount formed on the objective lens for mounting the objective lens to a microscope main body is exposed; a protecting member fixed to the mounting portion, extending substantially along the entire length of the objective lens mounted on the mounting portion, and arranged at a distance outwardly in a radial direction of the objective lens so as to surround the objective lens; and a locking mechanism provided on the mounting portion to prevent the objective lens from moving relative to the mounting portion in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: An optical imaging device includes a reference scanning unit offering a high signal-to-noise ratio and capable of scanning an object rapidly. An interference optical system can be realized inexpensively. In the optical imaging device, low coherent light passed through an optical coupler and another optical coupler, irradiated from an optical scanner probe, reflected from an observed point in a living tissue, returned to the optical coupler, propagated over a fourth SM optical fiber, and routed to another optical coupler shall be referred to as sample light. Light passed through an optical length variation optical system via the optical coupler and routed to the optical coupler shall be referred to as reference light. At this time, a difference between a delay time undergone by the sample light and a delay time undergone by the reference light is proportional to a difference between an optical length for the sample light and an optical length for the reference light.

Abstract: A control portion of an optical image pickup apparatus includes a scan driver, a lock-in amplifier, and an A/D converter. The scan driver outputs a predetermined drive signal to a Y-scanning mirror and an X-scanning mirror and scans the Y-scanning mirror and the X-scanning mirror. The lock-in amplifier detects a signal level Vout of a frequency component of the drive signal of the scan driver among signals detected by a detector portion. The A/D converter converts a signal detected by a detector portion and a signal level of the detected signal of a frequency component of a drive signal detected by the lock-in amplifier to digital signals and outputs the digital signals to an image processor. Thus, mirror scan operations of the scanning mirrors can be securely detected.

Abstract: When the user inserts an insertion end portion of an image forming unit covered with a protective cover into an attachment opening on an apparatus main unit along with a buffer sheet and a blackout sheet, the insertion end portion of an exterior cover sheet touches an exterior wall near the attachment opening for the image forming unit on the apparatus main unit. Thereby, the insertion operation of the image forming unit stops and one end of the image forming unit is held supported on the wall inside the opening.