Abstract: A microscope control unit which is composed of a bracket-shaped support frame having a support area, a pillar standing vertically erect on the support area, and a support arm, which emanates from the upper end of the pillar and is aligned parallel to the support area.

Abstract: This invention provides an analyzer for judging whether or not a tangible component is present in a sample in a preparation, and analyzing, if a tangible component is present, the tangible component with efficiency and high accuracy. For this purpose, an analyzer (100) of the present invention analyzes a tangible component in a sample (23) held by a preparation (20). The analyzer (100) checks whether or not a tangible component is present in the sample (23) by extensively observing an area in a certain visual field in which area the tangible component is assumed to be present. If the tangible component is judged to be present, the analyzer (100) analyzes the tangible component. Then, another visual field is selected, and another analysis is started therein so as to analyze only in the vicinity of the area where the tangible component was judged to be present.

Abstract: One embodiment of techniques for confocal microscopy includes illuminating a spot on a surface of a biological sample. A first emission intensity from the spot is detected in a first range of optical properties; and a second emission intensity in a second range. A pixel that corresponds to the spot is colored using a linear combination of the first and second emission intensities. Sometimes, the pixel is colored to approximate a color produced by histology. In some embodiments, a surface of a sample is contacted with a solution of acridine orange. Then, a spot is illuminated with a laser beam of wavelength about 488 nanometers (nm). Fluorescence emission intensity is detected above about 500 nm. Sometimes, a certain illumination correction is applied. In some embodiments, a sample holder that compresses a sample is removable from a stage that is fixed with respect to a focal plane of the microscope.

Abstract: A 3-D optical microscope, a method of turning a conventional optical microscope into a 3-D optical microscope, and a method of creating a 3-D image on an optical microscope are described. The 3-D optical microscope includes a processor, at least one objective lens, an optical sensor capable of acquiring an image of a sample, a mechanism for adjusting focus position of the sample relative to the objective lens, and a mechanism for illuminating the sample and for projecting a pattern onto and removing the pattern from the focal plane of the objective lens. The 3-D image creation method includes taking two sets of images, one with and another without the presence of the projected pattern, and using a software algorithm to analyze the two image sets to generating a 3-D image of the sample. The 3-D image creation method enables reliable and accurate 3-D imaging on almost any sample regardless of its image contrast.

Abstract: A portable microscope includes an image sensing module and an objective lens ascending/descending module. The objective lens ascending/descending module includes a rotatable roller, a sliding track member and an objective lens assembly. A first thread structure is formed on an inner wall of the rotatable roller. The sliding track member is disposed within the rotatable roller, and includes at least two parallel sliding tracks for defining a channel. The objective lens assembly is coupled to the sliding track member and slidable along the channel. A second thread structure mating with the first thread structure is formed on an external surface of the objective lens assembly. Upon rotation of the rotatable roller, the objective lens assembly is moved along the channel of the sliding track member, thereby adjusting the size of an image acquired by the image sensing module.

Abstract: A microscope includes an observation optical unit that has a zoom optical system having variable zoom power and an objective lens optically connected to the zoom optical system, the observation optical unit receiving observation light emitted from an observation sample, a focusing unit that has a focusing mechanism to focus the observation optical unit on the observation sample, a light source unit that emits illuminating light to illuminate the observation sample, and an illuminating unit that has a reflecting optical element disposed in the observation optical unit but out of an optical path of the zoom optical system, the illuminating unit being partially disposed in the focusing unit, the illuminating unit illuminating the observation sample with the illuminating light via the reflecting optical element and the objective lens.

Abstract: It is possible to use the magnification of an objective lens as is, substantially without changing the observation magnification, even when the working distance of the objective lens is changed. The invention provides a focus-adjusting unit disposed on an optical axis between an objective optical system that collects light from a specimen and an image-forming optical system that images the light collected by the objective optical system at a prescribed position, comprising a front optical system and a back optical system, sequentially disposed along the optical axis direction from a front side, with the objective optical system serving at the front side and the image-forming optical system at the back; and a lens driving part that relatively moves these optical systems in the optical axis direction, wherein the front optical system and the back optical system have refractive powers of different sign and focal lengths of substantially equal absolute value.

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: The invention is directed to an ophthalmologic surgical microscope system (100) for examining the eye of a patient. The ophthalmologic surgical microscope system includes a surgical microscope (101) as well as a carrier arrangement (102) wherein the surgical microscope (101) is accommodated so as to permit elevation adjustment in order to be able to adjust a work distance between the surgical microscope (101) and the eye of the patient. An ophthalmoscopic ancillary module (103) is connected to the surgical microscope and has an adjustable ophthalmoscopic magnifier system in order to adjust a distance between the ophthalmoscopic magnifier and the surgical microscope (101). The ophthalmologic surgical microscope system (100) has a sensor system for measuring the distance of the surgical microscope (101) from the patient eye. The sensor system is configured as an OCT-measuring device.

Abstract: A microscope including an imaging optical unit, a sample stage for supporting a sample to be examined, a movement unit, by which the distance between sample stage and imaging optical unit can be altered, a focus measuring unit, which measures the present focus position and outputs a focus measurement signal, a control unit for maintaining a predetermined focus position for examinations of the sample that are separated from one another in time. The control unit receives the focus measurement signal and derives a deviation of the present focus position from the predetermined focus position. Dependent on the deviation derived the movement unit, changes the distance between sample stage and imaging optical unit so that the predetermined focus position is maintained. The control unit drives the movement unit (9) for maintaining the predetermined focus position only before and/or after at least one of the examinations, but never during the examinations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope having a stage for supporting a sample to be examined, a recording sensor, an imaging optic for imaging the sample onto the recording sensor, a moving unit by means of which the distance between the stage and the imaging optic can be changed, a control unit for controlling an image recording of the sample and a focus-holding unit for maintaining a prescribed focal position for image recording of the sample at temporal intervals, wherein the focus-holding device comprises at least one hardware element and one software module, wherein the focus-holding unit is fully integrated in the control unit, on both the hardware and software sides.

Abstract: The focusing operation of a microscope, control rotary knobs which receive the motion of fingers or hand of an operator to change the focus position relative to a sample under observation. Two of the control rotary knobs are on a common shaft and coaxial with one another and rotationally fixed with respect to one another, and are connected to a position encoder. A toggle switch which is connected to the control circuit and can be actuated by touching or moving one or both rotary control knobs. Whereby the drive circuit is configured such that it generates, as a function of the rotation of the two rotary knobs and as a function of the actuation or position of the toggle switch, a rough or fine adjustment of the focus position relative to the sample under observation.

Abstract: Microscopy techniques in which a rear pupil of an optical system is segmented and the segments are individually controlled with a wavefront modulating device to control the direction and phase of individual beamlets of an excitation or emission beam in the optical system, thereby providing an adaptive optics correction to sample and system induced aberrations.

Abstract: The focus detecting apparatus comprises an objective lens, a point light source which irradiates illumination light for generating a focusing signal to a transparent substrate through the objective lens, a mask means having a first shading part for shading one of areas of the luminous of the illumination light, and a photodetector having two light receiving parts, wherein the mask means is formed so as to have a shape similar to one of light receiving parts in the photodetector, and has a second shading part that intercepts a part of luminous flux passing through another area so that reflected light from one of the surfaces may enter into the two light receiving parts, and reflected light from another surface may pass through an area which is located off the light receiving part arranged at one of the areas, when a focus of the objective lens is positioned near one of surfaces out of the first or second surface in the transparent substrate.

Abstract: A microscope includes a member supported for movement relative to a base along a path of travel, and optics on the member for imaging a region that includes a location for a specimen. The method and apparatus involve: effecting relative movement of a cam operatively coupled to one of the member and the base with respect to a cam follower operatively coupled to the other of the member and the base in a manner so that the cam follower slides along a cam surface on the cam; and responding to the sliding movement of the cam follower along the cam surface by effecting relative movement of the cam and cam follower in a manner that in turn effects movement of the member along the path of travel relative to the base.

Abstract: A microscope objective including an front optical element, a plurality of optical elements spaced apart from the front element and from each other, as well as an adjusting unit. At least one of the optical elements can be displaced along the optical axis by the adjusting unit to adjust the focus of the objective. The focus of the objective is displaced relative to the front element along the optical axis and/or a temperature-induced imaging error of the objective is compensated for.

Abstract: This is an optical apparatus provided with an objective with a correction collar for correcting aberration due to an error in the optical thickness of a piece of cover glass comprising a focusing mechanism for changing a distance between the objective and the sample, an optical thickness detecting unit for detecting the optical thickness of the cover glass, an operating unit for calculating the amount of aberration correction, based on the optical thickness of the cover glass detected by the optical thickness detecting unit, a driver unit for driving a correction collar, based on the amount of aberration correction calculated by the operating unit and an imaging sensor for forming the image of the sample that passes through the objective.

Abstract: A method of automatically focusing a microscope in which a beam of light is directed from a light source through an objective of the microscope system to an object whereby light is reflected from the surface thereof; reflected light is collected and directed to an imaging system. The incident beam of light is limited in spatial extent by imaging an aperture to form an illumination pupil, the centroid of illumination of the illumination pupil is aligned with the incident optical axis of the instrument. The reflected light is split in the imaging system into at least one pair of images from eccentric sections of an imaging pupil displaced from the optical axis in opposite directions. The separation of the images thereby produced is determined to provide an indication of the object distance. A focusing system implementing the method and a microscope fitted with such a system are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for modifying the distance between a microscope table and a microscope objective. The vertical adjusting mechanism of the microscope table encompasses a eccentric member which is rotatable about a shaft. At least one actuating button is mounted on the shaft. The eccentric member is embodied such that the microscope table can be subjected to a fine or rough vertical adjustment using of the eccentric member and a monolithic actuating button.

Abstract: A method for determining the quality of focus of a digital image of a biological specimen includes obtaining a digital image of a specimen using a specimen imaging apparatus. A measure of image texture is calculated at two different scales, and the measurements are compared to determine how much high-resolution data the image contains compared to low-resolution data. The texture measurement may, for example, be a Brenner auto-focus score calculated from the means of adjacent pairs of pixels for the high-resolution measurement and from the means of adjacent triples of pixels for the low-resolution measurement. A score indicative of the quality of focus is then established based on a function of the low-resolution and high-resolution measurements. This score may be used by an automated imaging device to verify that image quality is acceptable. The device may adjust the focus and acquire new images to replace any that are deemed unacceptable.

Abstract: In an automated scanning cytometry system, chromatic aberration is used for multiplanar image acquisition.

Abstract: A 3-D optical microscope, a method of turning a conventional optical microscope into a 3-D optical microscope, and a method of creating a 3-D image on an optical microscope are described. The 3-D optical microscope includes a processor, at least one objective lens, an optical sensor capable of acquiring an image of a sample, a mechanism for adjusting focus position of the sample relative to the objective lens, and a mechanism for illuminating the sample and for projecting a pattern onto and removing the pattern from the focal plane of the objective lens. The 3-D image creation method includes taking two sets of images, one with and another without the presence of the projected pattern, and using a software algorithm to analyze the two image sets to generating a 3-D image of the sample. The 3-D image creation method enables reliable and accurate 3-D imaging on almost any sample regardless of its image contrast.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a stand unit provided with a up/down drive unit for an objective lens, and a base unit provided with a up/down drive unit for a X-Y stage. When the stand unit and the base unit are fixed to each other, a displacement range of the objective lens drive unit along the up/down direction and a displacement range of the stage drive unit along the up/down direction are different from each other.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method and apparatus for auto-focusing an infinity corrected microscope. Light beams are directed and then converged towards a specimen of interest and at least one image is formed from the reflected light. The image, or images, are then reviewed and calibration measurements are retrieved from the image. These calibration measurement are then used to determine focusing measurements which are used to auto-focus the microscope.

Abstract: A focus error detecting optical system has an optical parameter which makes a focus lock-in range by a focus error signal be a value capable of detecting focus on a front surface of a cover glass and focus on a back surface thereof separately. A control section, based on the focus error signal obtained by the focus error detecting optical system, brings a focal point of an observational optical system to a focus position. Further, focus error detecting optical systems include optical units each having an optical parameter corresponding to a numerical aperture of respective objective lenses. A control section selects the optical unit of the focus error detecting optical system corresponding to the objective lens in use. The control section, using a focus error signal obtained by the selected focus error detecting optical system, brings a focal point of an observational optical system to a focus position.

Abstract: A lens unit includes a lens barrel for receiving at least one lens and a motor arranged to displace the lens barrel between various positions. Displacement of the lens barrel is proportional to an electrical signal applied to the motor. A first conductor is fixed to the lens barrel and is arranged to make electrical contact with a second conductor when the lens barrel is at an initial position. A processor is arranged to detect a change in the electrical contact, to determine an electrical signal at the time of the change and to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the desired displacement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus comprises a focusing unit for changing the relative position between a specimen and the focus position of an object lens; and a setup unit for setting a plurality of import regions in the optical axis of the object lens, with a position at which a specimen is focused being established as a reference. It further comprises a control unit for obtaining a plurality of extended time exposure images by changing the relative positions from each respective start position to the end position of each of the plurality of import regions by means of the focusing unit under an import condition determined by desired exposure time and emission light volume; and an image generation unit for generating a focal-depth enlarged image by adding together the obtained plurality of extended time exposure images.

Abstract: A spherical aberration adjustment system is disclosed, which includes a plurality of objective lenses, where at least one of the plurality of objective lenses has a spherical aberration collar. The plurality of objective lenses are mounted onto an objective holder, where the objective holder is configured to place the at least one of the plurality of objective lenses in an imaging position. A driving mechanism is coupled by a mechanical link to the at least one of the plurality of objective lenses, where the mechanical link is configured to transmit motion from the driving mechanism to the spherical aberration collar. A control system is configured to manipulate the driving mechanism to move the spherical aberration collar of the at least one of the plurality of objective lenses in the imaging position to a specific spherical aberration adjustment setting.

Abstract: Providing an intermittent photo-taking device capable of correcting a focus drift in the optical axis direction by moving a stage to focus on a plurality focus position of a sample. The intermittent recording device 9 receives setting of a photo-taking timing for the intermittent recording, sets to a driving system 2 a plurality of focus points to take photographs of the sample in each photo-taking timing as relative positions with respect to a predetermined reference position, at each photo-taking timing, obtains a focus position as a reference position by the autofocus movement, varies the relative position between the microscope 1 and the stage 51 to focus on the set photo-taking position of the sample S on the basis of the obtained reference position and the relative positions, makes the photo-taking device 8 take photograph of the sample in each focus position, and captures the taken images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for the imaging of single molecules.

Abstract: A sensor assembly including a detector; a first arrangement for enhancing the resolution of the detector; and a second arrangement for increasing the field-of-view of the detector. In a specific implementation, the detector is a focal plane array of detectors, the first arrangement is a Hadamard mask and the second arrangement is a telescope array with a field-bias element operationally coupled thereto. The field bias optical element is implemented with a prism and grating such as a grism. An arrangement is included for actuating the mask to selectively enable a desired level of resolution and another arrangement is included for actuating the field bias element to select a desired field of view. An arrangement for effecting image motion compensation is included along with an imager, an image processor and a data processor. The telescope array may include refractive elements, reflective elements, and/or catadioptric elements. Likewise, the imager may be refractive, reflective and/or catadioptric.

Abstract: An operating menu is provided for display with a touch-sensitive display screen (105) in a surgical microscope (100). The operating menu has a first operator-controlled area (106) wherein at least one touch-sensitive actuation field (107) is provided for adjusting a surgical microscope operating mode. In a second operator-controlled area (108) of the operating menu, a touch-sensitive actuation field (109) is provided with a function dependent upon an adjusted surgical microscope operating mode.

Abstract: When application software running on a PC is in the state of being terminated, a switch unit is turned OFF with the control of a CPU and individual motors, and in this state, a light source is not supplied with a motor/lamp-use power source. In this state, however, the CPU and individual I/Fs are supplied with a logic-use power source. Therefore, the switch unit is turned ON when the application software is started, and an initialization process for an individual electrically driven unit is no longer required.

Abstract: A specimen imaging apparatus is provided that is capable of improved high-speed operation compared to conventional apparatuses. The specimen imaging apparatus is provided with a microscope for enlarging the image of a specimen, and taking the enlarged image of the specimen obtained by the microscope. The apparatus is provided with a vibration detector for detecting a relative vibration between the objective lens of the microscope and the specimen mounted in the microscope, a focuser for focusing before the vibration detected by the vibration detector has attenuated to less than a predetermined value, and a controller for determining whether or not a vibration detected by the vibration detector is less than a predetermined value. The specimen imaging apparatus is configured so as to take the enlarged image of a specimen when the controller has determined that the vibration is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An optical device for imaging a specimen (16) has a main objective (2) and a device (120) for modifying depth of field, the device (120) representing a micromirror array (5?) having micromirrors (50) that are individually controllable and adjustable as to their spatial orientation. In addition to the increase in depth of field, a variable objective can also be produced. The invention is particularly suitable for use in a microscope where deflection of the observation beam path is present.

Abstract: For a semiconductor device S as an inspected object, there are provided an image acquisition part 1, an optical system 2 including an objective lens 20, and a solid immersion lens (SIL) 3 movable between an insertion position including an optical axis from the semiconductor device S to the objective lens 20 and a standby position off the optical axis. Then observation is carried out in two control modes consisting of a first mode in which the SIL 3 is located at the standby position and in which focusing and aberration correction are carried out based on a refractive index n0 and a thickness t0 of a substrate of the semiconductor device S, and a second mode in which the SIL 3 is located at the insertion position and in which focusing and aberration correction are carried out based on the refractive index n0 and thickness t0 of the substrate, and a refractive index n1, a thickness d1, and a radius of curvature R1 of SIL 3.

Abstract: A focusing method for an examination apparatus that can quickly and easily perform focusing for fluoroscopy is provided. The focusing method, for an examination apparatus that can observe fluorescence emitted from a specimen, includes a first step of irradiating the specimen with light via an objective lens to generate reflected light and fluorescence; a second step of performing focusing with respect to the surface of the specimen using the reflected light from the specimen; and a third step of performing focusing for the fluorescence based on the focal position of the specimen surface in the second step.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus comprises a focusing unit for changing the relative position between a specimen and the focus position of an object lens; and a setup unit for setting a plurality of import regions in the optical axis of the object lens, with a position at which a specimen is focused being established as a reference. It further comprises a control unit for obtaining a plurality of extended time exposure images by changing the relative positions from each respective start position to the end position of each of the plurality of import regions by means of the focusing unit under an import condition determined by desired exposure time and emission light volume; and an image generation unit for generating a focal-depth enlarged image by adding together the obtained plurality of extended time exposure images.

Abstract: A confocal microscope having an objective lens for converging light, which is emitted from a light source, to a sample, a scanning mechanism for relatively scanning the sample with the light converged to the sample, a plurality of confocal diaphragm apertures that are arranged at positions optically conjugate to the light-gathering position of the objective lens and have different diaphragm diameters, and a plurality of photodetectors for detecting the intensities of lights respectively transmitting through the confocal diaphragm apertures comprises a weighting/combining arithmetic processing unit for combining signals output from the photodetectors after weighting the signals.

Abstract: A microscope arrangement (200) is for viewing an object or an intermediate image, which is generated by an object, especially in microsurgery. The microscope arrangement (200) includes an objective arrangement (201) having an object plane (209) for arranging the object or intermediate image (210) to be viewed. The microscope arrangement has a focus offset adjusting unit (260) which outputs a focusing offset signal in order to defocus in a defined manner the objective arrangement relative to a focusing state.

Abstract: A focus sensing system adaptable for use in microscopes or other optical systems incorporates a selective beam block. An outgoing reference beam, incident upon a target to be inspected, is reflected to become an incoming reference beam. A beam block inserted within the optical system selectively rejects unwanted reflections from surfaces other than the target allowing the desired incoming reference beam to be photodetected without interference from reflections off of surfaces that are not of interest. The photodetector generates an electronic signal corresponding to the displacement of the target from the ideal focal point. The electrical signal may be used to drive a servomechanism to displace either the target or the microscope objective lens to bring the target into focus.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for imaging structures either in the focal plane of the objective of a microscope or in the pupil of the objective or in the respective conjugate planes. For this purpose, the optical data of the imaging systems and the illumination wavelengths or fluorescence wavelengths are taken into account when determining the optimal position of the structures.

Abstract: A light beam is used to illuminate a spot on a lens element which is shifted along the optical axis of an imaging system for auto-focus or optical zoom purposes. The light beam is arranged such that the reflected light beam from the lens element encounters a spot on the image sensor. The spot location on the image sensor is determined by a signal processor. As the lens element is shifted along the optical axis, the spot location changes accordingly. Based on the moving distance of the spot, the signal processor determines the shifting distance of the lens element and hence the position of the lens element. Based on the shifting distance of the lens element, a control module is used to adjust the lens position along the optical axis to achieve the desired focusing or zooming effects.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for computing focus information prior to scanning microscope slides with a line scan camera. The methods include a point-focus procedure that works by moving the slide to the desired measurement location, moving the objective lens through a predefined set of height values, acquiring imagery data at each height, and determining the height of maximum contrast. The methods also include a ribbon-focus procedure whereby imagery data are acquired continuously, while the slide and objective lens are in motion. Both methods may be applied with either a static or a dynamic implementation.

Abstract: In a biological specimen imaging method, a biological specimen which is stored in a storing section of a substrate having plural storing sections and emitting a feeble light is imaged through an objective lens. The biological specimen imaging method includes moving any one of the substrate and the objective lens or both until the desired storing section falls within the field of view of the objective lens, measuring any one of a focal position at a near point and the focal position at a far point of the objective lens or both, determining the focal position of the objective lens focused on an observed target region in the biological specimen stored in the desired storing section based on the measured focal position, and adjusting the focal position of the objective lens to the determined focal position so as to image the biological specimen through the objective lens.

Abstract: An optical scanning microscope is provided in which the observation magnification does not greatly change even when the working distance of an objective lens is changed. The optical scanning microscope includes an objective optical system that converts the light from a specimen into a substantially collimated light beam, an imaging optical system that forms an image from the substantially collimated light beam from the objective optical system at a predetermined position, a pupil projection optical system that substantially collimates the light formed into an image by the imaging optical system at the predetermined position, a lateral scanner that angularly deflects the substantially collimated light beam from the pupil projection optical system to laterally scan the area of the specimen to be observed, and a lens driver that drives the imaging optical system or the pupil projection optical system or both in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A microscope lens barrel includes an input port where observation light enters the microscope lens barrel; a plurality of output ports which the observation light goes out of the microscope lens barrel; an optical-path switching mechanism which selectively switches an optical path of the observation light to guide the observation light from the input port to at least one of the output ports; and a supporting part which supports the optical-path switching mechanism. The input port, the output ports, and the supporting part are integrally formed as a tubular body frame so that the input port, the output ports, and the supporting part are arranged at respective center positions of sidewalls of the tubular body frame.

Abstract: A microscope, in the microscope for observing a sample cultured with a culture vessel, can automatically obtain information about growing conditions of the sample. For this purpose, the microscope is a microscope for observing a sample cultured with a culture vessel, and includes a focusing unit focusing on at least two faces including a first face where the sample exists in the culture vessel and a second face differing from the first face based on predetermined conditions, and an imaging unit imaging for the first face and the second face to create images.

Abstract: The invention refers to a process for determining the focus position when imaging a specimen (4) with a field stop imaged onto the specimen detecting this image using a position-sensitive receiving-device inclined relative to the field stop defining the focus position by means of intensity distribution in the receiving device. The invention also refers to set-ups as regards implementation of the process according to the invention.