Abstract: A variable imaging system which, starting from the object end, includes an objective of fixed focal length, at least one afocal zoom system, and a tube lens system. An afocal system of fixed magnification is arranged on the beam path between the objective and the afocal zoom system. The system includes means for axial displacement of the afocal system relative to the objective and to the zoom system, such that the position of the common back focal point of objective and afocal system is always set to the position of the entrance pupil of the zoom system, thus ensuring that object imaging is telecentric. The imaging system is suitable for use in microscopes. The invention can also be used to advantage in other optical systems employing tube lens systems of fixed or variable focal length.

Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope for examining microscopic and macroscopic objects is described. The microscope comprises: a scanning optical system having optical elements imaging the light generated by a laser onto an object to be examined; an objective provided in a working distance of at least 0.4 inches from an object holder; and a zoom optical system that is connected to the scanning optical system such that the light generated by the laser passes first through the scanning optical system, then through the zoom optical system, and is then imaged through the objective onto the object. This microscope achieves that also macroscopic objects can be viewed at a high resolution.

Abstract: An objective changer having incident-light illumination for light microscopes, including: at least two microscope objectives for examining a specimen, a movable carrier, on which the microscope objectives are mounted, an immovable carrier, which is adapted for mounting on a base body of the microscope, wherein the movable carrier is adapted for defined positioning thereof relatively to the immovable carrier, and at least one illuminating means for illuminating the specimen. The objective changer includes at least one transfer interface for transferring energy for illuminating the specimen is provided on the immovable carrier, at least one energy connector, which is rigidly connected to the movable carrier, is provided for receiving energy to illuminate the specimen, the energy connector is connected to an illuminating means, and by positioning the movable carrier relatively to the immovable carrier, a line engagement can be established between the transfer interface and an energy connector.

Abstract: A system for guiding optical elements, in particular lenses, along an optical axis of a microscope, in particular a stereomicroscope, or of a macroscope, guide system including at least one guide rod which extends parallel to the optical axis and is at least partially made from a magnetizable material, and further including a carrier for the optical elements, the carrier being displaceable along the at least one guide rod and providing magnetic attraction between itself and at least one guide rod; for providing magnetic attraction, including at least one magnetizable wheel adapted to roll along the at least one guide rod while rotating about an axis as the carrier is displaced; the at least one guide rod (312, 314) being made of magnetizable material and/or the magnetizable wheel being at least in part permanently magnetic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a microscope device having a first and a second zoom microscope, wherein a zoom adjustment of the second zoom microscope is carried out in dependence upon a zoom adjustment of the first zoom microscope.

Abstract: A variable power optical system used in a parallel stereoscopic microscope apparatus includes a plurality of optical paths in which optical axes are arranged substantially parallel, a plurality of lens groups that change the magnification of a diameter of a luminous flux entering substantially parallel to each of the optical paths to eject the luminous flux as substantially parallel luminous fluxes, and at least two lens groups move along the optical axis in each optical path according to the change in the magnification. At least two lens groups of at least one optical path among the plurality of optical paths move in a direction including a component perpendicular to the optical axis according to the change in the magnification at at least part of a section where the magnification is changed from a high-power end state to a low-power end.

Abstract: There is provided a signal processing device including an image analysis portion that analyzes content of an input image, a distance information acquisition portion that acquires distance information between a viewer who views a screen on which the input image is displayed and the screen, and a stereoscopic image generation portion that generates a stereoscopic image from the original input image, using an analysis result of the input image analyzed by the image analysis portion, the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition portion, and information about a specification of the screen in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for adjusting an optical magnification of a microscope, the device including: a magnification adjuster adapted to change the optical magnification of the microscope in accordance with the relative rotation position with respect to a tube unit; a membrane potentiometer positioned on the rotating passage of the magnification adjuster to output an electrical signal corresponding to the contacted position of the magnification adjuster therewith; and a controller adapted to receive the electrical signal outputted from the membrane potentiometer to output the optical magnification corresponding to the rotated position of the magnification adjuster.

Abstract: A varioscope optical unit has a positive member (9) with a positive refractive power and a negative member (11) with a negative refractive power arranged along an optical axis (OA) so that the negative member follows the positive member along an observation direction (B). At least one of the members is displaceable along the optical axis. Each member has a first termination lens surfaces (23, 27) counter to the observation direction (B) and second termination lens surface (25, 29) in the observation direction. The second termination lens surface of the positive member and the first termination lens surface of the negative member are concave when viewed in the observation direction (B) and have radii of curvature of at most 500 mm. The second termination lens surface of the negative member is convex when viewed in the observation direction (B) and has a radius of curvature of at most 70 mm.

Abstract: An automated slide scanning system is described. The system comprises an automated focusing unit that is simple and that provides a fine adjustment of a focusing tube without any backlash. The focusing unit comprises a block that is cut or fabricated in a pattern forming a head to support a focusing tube and at least one elongated and rigid arm projecting perpendicularly from the head. One end of the at least one arm is integrally joined to the head. The focusing unit further comprises an elongated, rigid, lever which is substantially parallel and spaced apart from the at least one arm. The lever is pivotally mounted to a hinge and has a first end that is linked to the head of the focusing unit and a second free end. The focusing unit further includes a drive mechanism with a roller coupled to a motor. The roller is eccentric roller and is in constant contact to the lever's second end.

Abstract: A method for identifying a blur profile of a multi image display with a first image separating mask. The method comprises displaying a calibration pattern through a second image separating mask, allowing an evaluator to provide a visual estimation indicating a blur brought about to the calibration pattern by the second image separating mask, and generating a blur profile of at least the first image separating mask according to the visual estimation. The first and second image separating masks having a substantially similar optical profile.

Abstract: An optical module for increasing magnification of a microscope includes an objective and an eyepiece between which is an optical path for light to travel. The optical includes light diverging elements for dividing the optical path into two parallel light paths after leaving the objective; and several orthonormally-arranged reflective elements including at least a first and a last reflective element, each reflective element having a reflective surface diagonal relative to the orthonormal arrangement of the elements, and also arranged to successively reflect the parallel light paths, from element to element, from the objective when the module is inserted in the optical microscope, beneath the eyepiece. Also included are light converging elements for converging the parallel paths into a single path before producing an image at the eyepiece.

Abstract: A fluorescence microscope 100 includes an illumination optical system 120 that illuminates a sample with excitation light, fluorescence detection optical systems 130, 140 and 150 that detect fluorescence from the sample, optical members 8, 12, 13, 16, 17 and 20 that are disposed on an optical path of the illumination optical system and on an optical path of the fluorescence detection optical system, have different wavelength characteristics with each other, and are included in the illumination optical system and in the fluorescence detection optical system, a memory 23 that stores the wavelength characteristic of each of the optical members, and a display 23a that displays each of the wavelength characteristic read out from the memory on the same frame, and displays fluorescence detection wavelength range of a detectable fluorescent dye added to the sample.

Abstract: Provided is an inverted microscope 1 comprising an objective optical system 2 that collects light from a specimen A; an image-forming optical system 3 that images the light from the specimen A that has been collected by the objective optical system 2 to form an intermediate image; a relay optical system 6 that relays the intermediate image B of the specimen A formed by the image-forming optical system 3; a binocular lens barrel 5 that splits the light from the relay optical system 6; a pair of ocular optical systems 4 that image, in a magnified manner, the intermediate images that have been split by the binocular lens barrel 5 on eyes E of an observer as virtual images; wherein the following conditional expressions are satisfied: K=(Fntl/Ftl)×?RL ??(1), Fne=Fe×K ??(2), and 0.3<K<0.9 ??(3).

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a tension of a pulling device in a pulling-device drive includes a body and a lever arm. The pulling-device drive includes first and second shafts and the pulling device loops around the first and second shafts. The body includes a receptacle adapted to interact with the first shaft and a support point adapted to rotatably dispose the body about an axis of rotation. The lever arm extends from the body so that a spacing between the first and second shafts is modifiable by action of a force on the lever arm.

Abstract: The invention provides a microscope (2) as part of an optical system (1) used to spatially image an object in an image plane, and methods for its use, wherein the microscope (2) has at least one lens system assigned to a respective beam path (3, 4) and a converging lens arrangement (11) assigned to the beam path(s) (3, 4), wherein the at least one lens system includes a first lens arrangement (3a; 4a) and a second lens arrangement (3b; 4b) arranged between the first and the converging lens arrangement.

Abstract: An electric zoom consecutively changes a magnification for a sample within a magnification changeable range. An electric revolver switches an objective lens placed in an observation optical path to intermittently change the magnification for the sample. A control section calculates a total magnification based on the magnification provided by the electric zoom and the magnification of the objective lens currently placed in the observation optical path. The control section controls the electric revolver such that the objective lens placed in the observation optical path is switched when the magnification changed in response to the operation of causing the magnification of the electric zoom to be changed falls outside the magnification changeable range of the electric zoom.

Abstract: A microscope, which moves an objective lens along an observation optical axis with respect to a specimen, includes an imaging unit and a supporting unit. The imaging unit has an imaging lens, which is arranged on the observation optical axis and forms an observation image of the specimen, and an imaging element, which is arranged on the observation optical axis and takes the observation image, and is optically connected to the objective lens by a parallel light flux. The supporting unit fixedly supports the imaging unit, and movably supports the objective lens.

Abstract: A multi-mode optical fiber delivers light from a radiation source to a multi-focal confocal microscope with reasonable efficiency. A core diameter of the multi-mode fiber is selected such that an etendue of light emitted from the fiber is not substantially greater than a total etendue of light passing through a plurality of pinholes in a pinhole array of the multi-focal confocal microscope. The core diameter may be selected taking into account a specific optical geometry of the multi-focal confocal microscope, including pinhole diameter and focal lengths of relevant optical elements. For coherent radiation sources, phase randomization may be included. A multi-mode fiber enables the use of a variety of radiation sources and wavelengths in a multi-focal confocal microscope, since the coupling of the radiation source to the multi-mode fiber is less sensitive to mechanical and temperature influences than coupling the radiation source to a single mode fiber.

Abstract: An object of interest is illuminated within the field of view of a microscope objective lens located to receive light passing through the object of interest. Light transmitted through the microscope objective lens impinges upon a variable power element. The variable power element is driven with respect to the microscope objective lens to scan through multiple focal planes in the object of interest. Light transmitted from the variable power element is sensed by a sensing element or array.

Abstract: In order to identify scan coordinate values (?n, ?n) for operating a scanning unit (28) of a confocal scanning microscope (20), spherical scan coordinate values (?n, ?n) are identified, as a function of Cartesian image coordinates (Xn, Yn) of image points of an image (60) to be created of a sample (32), with the aid of a coordinate transformation of the Cartesian image coordinate values (Xn, Yn) into a spherical coordinate system. The scanning unit (28) is operated as a function of the spherical scan coordinate values (?n, ?n).

Abstract: An interferometric mask covering a reflective conductive ribbon that electrically interconnects a plurality of photovoltaic cells is disclosed. Such an interferometric mask may reduce reflections of incident light from the conductors. In various embodiments, the mask reduces reflections, so that a front and back electrode pattern appears black or similar in color to surrounding features of the device. In other embodiments, the mask may modulate reflections of light such that the electrode pattern matches a color in the visible spectrum.

Abstract: A microscope system comprises an objective, an image pickup device, a diameter-variable field stop disposed in a conjugate position with the focal plane of the objective, a magnification modifying device disposed in an optical path between the objective and the image pickup device, for modifying the magnification of the image pickup device and a control unit for controlling in such a way as to maintain a state where a field stop diameter is always larger than a field diameter.

Abstract: An imaging method and system are presented for use in sub-wavelength super resolution imaging of a subject. The imaging system comprises a spatial coding unit configured for collecting light coming from the scanned subject and being spaced from the subject a distance smaller than a wavelength range of said light; a light detection unit located upstream of the spatial coding unit with respect to light propagation from the object, and configured to define a pixel array and a spatial decoding unit, which is associated with said pixel array and is configured for applying spatial decoding to a magnified image of the scanned subject, thereby producing nanometric spatial resolution of the image.

Abstract: A variable focusing lens is provided that can change the focal length at a high speed. The variable focusing lens includes: a single crystal electrooptic material having inversion symmetry; a first anode formed on a first surface of the electrooptic material; a second cathode provided to have an interval to the first anode; and a first cathode and a second anode that are formed on a second surface opposed to the first surface and that are formed at positions opposed to the first anode and the second cathode. An optical axis is set so that, when light enters through a third face orthogonal to the first surface, light exists through a fourth surface opposed to the third face. A voltage applied between the first and the second pair of electrodes is changed to thereby change the focal point of light emitted from the fourth surface of the electrooptic material.

Abstract: Changes in moving speed of an observation image relative to the viewing range of an image displayed on a display unit are reduced, even if a stage is driven when the viewing range of the image on the display unit is changed.

Abstract: Microscope system for acquiring a plurality of images, comprising: a zoom system which is configured to continuously vary a magnification of the microscope system over a magnification range of the microscope system, wherein the zoom system comprises two movable zoom components, which are arranged movably along a common optical axis of the microscope system; an aperture stop, which is configured such that a plurality of different observation beam paths of the microscope system are selectable, which traverse the zoom system; wherein the aperture stop, as seen along the optical axis, is arranged between the two movable zoom components; and wherein for all values of the magnification within the magnification range, the aperture stop is located within an aperture stop range which is measured along the optical axis and which surrounds a pupil position of the microscope system.

Abstract: A microscope comprising multiple optical systems in the imaging beam path and at least one subassembly, the optical effect of which in relation to the imaging beam path can be modified by controlling the subassembly, e.g. a group of lenses or a diaphragm that can be moved in the direction of the optical axis, a diaphragm having a variable aperture, a digital zoom device, a shutter, or a focusing device. The microscope includes a control unit which is designed to generate control signals for the subassembly in a first mode of operation to regulate or control the functional parameters exclusively of the imaging optical system with which the subassembly is associated, and additionally in a second mode of operation to regulate or control the functional parameters of the entire optical system of the microscope.

Abstract: An electric zoom consecutively changes a magnification for a sample within a magnification changeable range. An electric revolver switches an objective lens placed in an observation optical path to intermittently change the magnification for the sample. A control section calculates a total magnification based on the magnification provided by the electric zoom and the magnification of the objective lens currently placed in the observation optical path. The control section controls the electric revolver such that the objective lens placed in the observation optical path is switched when the magnification changed in response to the operation of causing the magnification of the electric zoom to be changed falls outside the magnification changeable range of the electric zoom.

Abstract: A microscope system and observation control method. An electric zoom consecutively changes a magnification for a sample. A revolver includes a plurality of objective lenses of different magnifications and switches the objective lens placed in an observation optical path to intermittently change the magnification for the sample. A control section calculates a total magnification at which the sample is observed based on a magnification provided by the electric zoom and the magnification of the objective lens currently placed in the observation optical path. The control section operates when the revolver switches the objective lens placed in the observation optical path, to determine a target magnification that is the magnification of the electric zoom required to keep the total magnification obtained after the switching of the objective lens equal to the total magnification obtained before the switching of the objective lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser scanning microscope (10) for scanning a sample, the microscope having focusing means (15) having a focal plane (29) and comprising at least one optical element for focusing a laser beam (13), drive means (18) for displacing the at least one optical element of the focusing means (15), at least one detector means (24?) for detecting light (13?) reflected from the sample or back fluoresced light (13?) emitted by the sample, characterised by the detector means (24?) being connected to the drive means (18) such that the drive means (18) may simultaneously displace the detector means (24?) with the at least one optical element of the focusing means (15). The present invention further relates to a method of performing 3D scanning with the inventive laser scanning microscope.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscopy system for representing an object that can be placed on an object plane (1) of the microscopy system, the latter comprising a representation system (26) containing several optical elements for providing at least one optical representation path (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d). According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical elements comprise a plurality of optical lenses (4-8, 11, 13, 14), through which the optical representation path(s) (2a-2d) pass(es) in sequence and which represent the object plane (1) in an intermediate image (P). The optical lenses (4-8, 11) are configured in such a way that the representation of the object plane (1) in the intermediate image (P) is reduced a maximum 0.9 times, preferably a maximum 0.8 times, preferably a maximum 0.6 times, with 0.5 times being the preferred maximum reduction.

Abstract: Embodiments provide microscopes, and more specifically, embodiments provide improvements to zoom control, viewing, and light management in microscopes particularly suited for surgery. These improvements include a compact zoom control system that provides enhanced surgical workspace, ergonomics, and optics, as well as improved methods for controlling a stereomicroscope light source and a novel auxiliary viewing system.

Abstract: An optical arrangement for oblique plane microscopy includes a first optical subassembly having an objective lens that receives light from a sample in use, and configured to produce an intermediate image of the sample, and a second optical subassembly focused on the intermediate image. Optical axes of the first and second subassemblies are at an angle to each other at the point of the intermediate image, such that the second subassembly images an oblique plane in the intermediate image, corresponding to an oblique plane in the sample. An oblique plane microscopy method is performed by directing an incident light beam through the objective lens to illuminate or excite the oblique plane in the sample, and receiving light from the sample through the same objective lens. The incident light beam is incident on the sample at an angle of substantially 90° relative to the light beam received from the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microscope module. The microscope module includes an objective lens magnifying an image of a sample subject for observation; an observation part for observing the image of the sample magnified through the objective lens; and a reflective mirror provided between the objective lens and the sample such that the vertical distance between the sample and the objective lens is substantially reduced. Since the reflective lens is disposed between the objective lens and the observation part, the working distance from the sample to the objective lens is substantially reduced, so that the height of the microscope is remarkably reduced. Thus, the microscope may be used in a place with vertical spatial limitations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an afocal zoom system for a microscope with a shutter for controlling the depth of focus of the microscopic image produced by an object, wherein at least one shutter is disposed in front of the first lens group of the zoom system, viewed from the object, in the direction of the beam path passing through the zoom system, and/or at least one shutter is disposed on a lens group of the zoom system the diameter of which can be varied in order to control the depth of focus, without causing vignetting of the edge beams.

Abstract: An observation state obtainment unit obtains an observation state of a microscope at the time of obtaining the microscopic image of a specimen obtained by using the microscope. A motion image data generation unit generates data of a motion image from the microscopic images of a time series. A correlation addition unit adds, to data of the motion image, information that correlates microscopic images constituting the motion image with an observation state of the microscope at the time of obtaining the microscopic images. A record unit records data of the motion image and an observation state of the microscope correlated with the data.

Abstract: A mid infrared spectral band continuous zoom system is described herein that can provide a continuous zoom range with a focal length change greater than 25× when thermally imaging a distant object. In addition, a method is described herein for using the mid infrared spectral band continuous zoom system to thermally image the distant object.

Abstract: An observation field of view of a microscope can be moved without moving or changing an objective lens and without varying position or state of a sample. A microscope optical system has a mirror that changes the direction of the optical path by reflection and is located in the optical path between an objective lens of the microscope and an image to be observed. The mirror is able to be tilted by changing the position of a reflecting surface of the mirror. Accordingly, the observation field of view is moved by tilting the mirror. In other words, the observation field of view can be moved without changing a positional relationship between the objective lens of the microscope and the sample.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes a capture unit for capturing a microscopic image of a specimen in a predetermined microscopy, a capture control unit controlling the capture unit and capturing a microscopic image about the same specimen with a plurality of predetermined resolutions, and a microscopy switch unit switching the microscopy. With the configuration, the capture control unit at least includes a first capture control unit allowing the capture unit to capture the specimen with a first resolution controlled in advance, a definition unit defining a plurality of small sections obtained by dividing a first microscopic image captured by the capture unit under control of the first capture control unit; and a second capture control unit allowing the capture unit to capture a portion corresponding to the small section of the specimen with a predetermined second resolution as a resolution higher than the first resolution.

Abstract: A variable microscope system, which, beginning at the object plane, includes a main lens system, a zoom lens system consisting of several lens groups, and a relay system connected in series to the zoom lens system. In the microscope system, according to the invention, at least one main lens system for infinite mapping of an object is provided and the zoom lens system is designed in such a way that the infinite beam path from the lens system is mapped in an intermediate image, wherein an aperture collimation is provided in a subsequently positioned relay system. An advantage of the microscope system, according to the invention, versus prior art lies in an improved eye pupil adjustment to the illumination as well as to the observation of samples with the contrast method.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises: an insertion section including a distal end; a power changing movable lens that makes observational magnification variable, the power changing movable lens being movably built in an objective optical system provided at the distal end; a linear transmission member that drives the power changing movable lens, the linear transmission member being disposed from a drive section provided at a position other than the insertion section to the distal end; a focus adjusting movable lens that achieves automatic focusing function, the focus adjusting movable lens being movably built in the objective optical system separately from the power changing movable lens; and an actuator that drives the focus adjusting movable lens, the actuator being arranged in the distal end.

Abstract: A microscope having a mechanically adjustable zoom system (7) and/or a mechanically adjustable focus system is described, which microscope is equipped at least one manually movable adjusting element (2) for adjusting the zoom system (7) and/or the focus system. The adjusting element (2) has associated with it a sensor (1) for ascertaining and/or indicating the position of the adjusting element (2).

Abstract: For a confocal scanning microscope (1) an optical zoom system (41) with linear scanning is provided, which not only makes a zoom function possible, in that a variable magnification of an image is possible, but rather which additionally produces a pupil image in the illuminating beam path (IB) [BS] and thereby makes a variable image length possible (distance between the original pupil (En.P) [EP] and the imaged/reproduced pupil (Ex.P) [AP]) so that axially varying objective pupil positions can thereby be compensated.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a zoom microscope of a simple structure which can expand a variable-power range. In order to achieve the object thereof, the zoom microscope includes a replaceable infinity correction objective lens, an aperture stop, an afocal zoom system, and an imaging optical system which are arranged in this order from a specimen side. Further, the aperture stop is disposed on or near a rear focal plane of the objective lens.

Abstract: A camera head acquires a sample image by shooting a scaled up image of a sample obtained by a microscope body. A memory device records the sample image in a record medium. A CPU detects the completion of the sighting on an observed portion of a sample in a microscope body on the basis of a R. G. B data value of each pixel configuring a microscope image detected by the R. G. B data value. Furthermore, the CPU detects the completion of the focusing on the observed portion by the microscope boundary on the basis of the height of the contrast of the microscope image detected by the focusing completion detection unit. When both completion of the sighting and completion of focusing are detected, the CPU controls a memory device to record a sample image acquired by a camera head on a record medium.

Abstract: A changing device for receiving optical elements, particularly for microscopes, has a stand comprising a side wall, front wall and rear wall. This changing device is arranged at a holder in the telecentric part of the microscope beam path and is outfitted with a quantity of optical components influencing the beam path. The arrangement is mounted so as to be rotatable around an axis of rotation which is situated in the holder and which intersects the optical axis of the microscope beam path.

Abstract: A microscope, which moves an objective lens along an observation optical axis with respect to a specimen, includes an imaging unit and a supporting unit. The imaging unit has an imaging lens, which is arranged on the observation optical axis and forms an observation image of the specimen, and an imaging element, which is arranged on the observation optical axis and takes the observation image, and is optically connected to the objective lens by a parallel light flux. The supporting unit fixedly supports the imaging unit, and movably supports the objective lens.

Abstract: The exposure time for obtaining a bright image in an image-acquisition optical system can be reduced, and shifting of an image visually observed in an observation optical system is prevented, thus enabling stable observation. A microscope including an image-acquisition optical path for recording an image focused by an objective lens and an observation optical path for visually observing an image split-off from the image-acquisition optical path; and including an aperture stop, in the observation optical path, for stopping down the numerical aperture thereof to smaller than the numerical aperture of the image-acquisition optical path.

Abstract: A surgical microscope (100) has viewing beams (109a, 109b) passing through a microscope imaging optic which includes a microscope main objective system (101) having a magnification system of variable magnification. The microscope imaging optic transposes a convergent viewing beam (109a, 109b) from the object region (114) into a parallel beam. The surgical microscope includes an OCT-system (120) for examining the object region (114). The OCT-system (120) makes available an OCT-scanning beam (190) which is guided through the microscope imaging optic.