Abstract: An optical observation instrument according to the invention, in particular a surgical microscope or exoscope, comprises an optics unit with an objective arrangement and at least one electronic image recorder, wherein the optics unit has a first stereo channel with a first beam path and a second stereo channel with a second beam path for recording a stereo image of an object field with the at least one electronic image recorder and wherein the first and the second beam path extend through the objective arrangement.

Abstract: A mobile phone-based dark field microscope (MDFM) apparatus suitable for quantifying nanoparticle signals is provided. The MDFM apparatus includes an electrically operated light source, a dark-field condenser, a slide housing configured to receive an analytical slide, and an adapter housing configured to receive an objective lens and receive a portable electronic communication device. The slide housing positions the analytical slide between the objective lens and the dark-field condenser. The adapter housing registers the objective lens with a camera lens of the portable electronic communication device. A method for performing a biological quantitative study using the dark-field microscope apparatus is further provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical microscope includes detecting an amount of movement of a body portion of a user, and performing movements of a camera and changes in a magnification based on the detected movements of the body portion. The amounts of these movements and changes decrease with increasing magnification provided by the surgical microscope, they decrease with decreasing distance of the body portion of the user from the display, and they decrease with decreasing distance of the cameras from the field of view of the cameras.

Abstract: A balance mechanism comprises a working device, a connecting arm assembly having a variable length, a torque-balancing assembly, a weighting member, and a connecting member. The connecting arm assembly couples to the working device. The connecting arm assembly is pivoted to the torque-balancing assembly by a pivot. The weighting member couples to the torque-balancing assembly. The connecting member connects the connecting arm assembly and the torque-balancing assembly. As the distance between the working device and the pivot changes, the distance between the weighting member and the pivot changes accordingly, so that a dynamic balance can be achieved.

Abstract: A stand for a surgical microscope includes a first stand part including a first bearing and a second bearing, a shaft arranged in the first bearing and defining a rotation axis, a second stand part fixedly connected to the shaft, mounted on the first stand part together with the shaft pivotably about the rotation axis, and including a force transmission point, a lever part mounted on the second stand part at the force transmission point, arranged pivotably about the rotation axis, and including a third bearing, and a torque compensation assembly applying a counter torque to the second stand part to compensate a load torque including a dynamic load torque occurring when the second stand part is pivoted about the rotation axis and a static load torque resulting from a gravitation force acting on the second stand part and on elements mounted on the second stand part.

Abstract: A personalized digital microscope system for use in microsurgery includes a camera system configured to produce a stereo pair of images captured in real-time; an image processing system communicatively coupled to the camera system and configured to extract the stereo pair of images synchronized in time with each other and to combine the stereo pair of images with encoded images of differences between the stereo pair of images; and a video processing system communicatively coupled to the image processing system and configured to create a stream from the encoded images by processing the encoded images based on personalization for the user, wherein the personalization is determined based on a test procedure performed by the user.

Abstract: A spatio-temporally light modulated imaging system and method for confocal imaging an object is disclosed. The imaging system may include a light modulating micro-mirror device with an array of mirror elements, an imaging optic for focusing illumination light from the micro-mirror device onto the object and directing detection light created in the object in response to the illumination light towards the micro-mirror device, and a camera device with a detector camera for collecting the detection light travelling via the mirror elements and a first optical relaying device on a first optical axis, and for collecting the detection light travelling via the mirror elements and a second optical relaying device on a second optical axis, wherein a camera body of the detector camera is arranged with a vertical camera axis, and a deflecting mirror is arranged for deflecting the detection light from the optical axes to the vertical camera axis.

Abstract: A surgical electronic microscope device (10) includes a microscope unit (110) and a support unit (120) that supports the microscope unit (110). The microscope unit (110) images an operative site of a patient (330) on an operating table (340), and outputs an image signal. The support unit (120) includes a prop unit (290c). The prop unit (290c) supports a second arm (290b) rotatably around an axis (05). The second arm (290b) supports a first arm (290a) rotatably around an axis (04). The first arm (290a) supports the microscope unit (110). Pivoting the second arm (290b) on the axis (05) while keeping the first arm (290a) substantially level makes it possible to change a height of the microscope unit (110). A length (V) of the second arm (290b) is greater than a length (H) of the first arm (290a). Accordingly, a movable range of the microscope unit (110) in a vertical direction is wide.

Abstract: An attention-based imaging system is described, including a camera that can adjust its field of view (FOV) and resolution and a control routine that can determine one or more regions of interest (ROI) within the FOV to prioritize camera resources. The camera includes an image sensor, an internal lens, a steerable mirror, an external lens, and a controller. The external lens is disposed to monitor a viewable region, and the steerable mirror is interposed between the internal lenses and the external lenses. The steerable mirrors are arranged to project the viewable region from the external lens onto the image sensor via the internal lens. The steerable mirror modifies the viewable region that is projected onto the image sensor and controls the image sensor to capture an image. The associated control routine can be deployed either inside the camera or in a separate external processor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a balancing device (14) for balancing a microscope (12) with respect to a rotation axis (1000), the balancing device (14) comprising a balancing weight (16) arranged around and assigned to the rotation axis (1000), such that the balancing weight (16) is rotatable around the rotation axis (1000), wherein a center of mass of the balancing weight (16) is arranged apart from the rotation axis (1000). The balancing device (14) further comprises a lever (18) for indicating a torque acting on the balancing device (14) and/or on the balancing weight (16), wherein the lever (18) is arranged around and assigned to the rotation axis (1000) to be rotatable around the rotation axis (1000), wherein the lever (18) extends within the balancing weight (16) and is movable by the torque within a predetermined range with respect to the balancing weight (16), and wherein an electrical potential of the lever (18) is set to a predetermined first potential value.

Abstract: A medical device holding apparatus includes a first medical device; a second medical device having a different weight from the first medical device; a base having a counterweight; an arm having a first end coupled to the counterweight via a link mechanism; an adapter for attaching the first medical device or the second medical device to a second end of the arm; a first balance correction member attached to the adapter to attain a weight balance between both sides of the arm in a case where the first medical device is attached to the adapter; and a second balance correction member attached to the adapter to attain a weight balance between the first end and the second end of the arm in a case where the second medical device is attached to the adapter.

Abstract: A surgical microscope system for use in a medical procedure. The surgical microscope system is controlled in a first mode of operation corresponding to a phase of the medical procedure and defining at least one setting for adjusting a set of adjustable optics. While in the first mode of operation, the surgical microscope system automatically determines, from a captured image, an indication that a second mode of operation is relevant. The mode of operation is switched to the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A setting task of a setting unit includes a task to determine, based on a detection result of a detector, whether a click operation is carried out with a part of an operator's body mounted on a mount portion. The click operation is defined as an intentional movement of the part of the body by the operator in accordance with a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: An electronic microscope, in particular a surgical microscope, comprises a camera unit that has at least one electronic image sensor for generating primary image data sets and that comprises an imaging optics for generating an image of an object on the image sensor. The microscope further comprises an electronic viewfinder, an adjustment device for varying a focal position of the camera unit, a control device, and a computing device. The control device is adapted to control the adjustment device to make a cyclically repeating variation of the focal position of the camera unit between a plurality of focal values and to control the image sensor to generate a respective primary image data set for each of the plurality of focal values. The computing device is adapted to determine a secondary image data set from the primary image data sets generated for the plurality of focal values, said secondary image data set having an extended depth of field relative to the respective primary image data sets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining height information of a sample, and to a scanning microscope. The method comprises the following steps: generating an illumination spot; illuminating the sample with the illumination spot; capturing an image of a reflection of the illumination spot at the sample; evaluating the lateral distribution of the image; determining the height information from the lateral distribution; wherein the illumination spot has a three dimensional illumination pattern and/or the image in a detection beam path has a three dimensional detection pattern. The scanning microscope is characterized in that an illumination device (07) and/or a detector device comprise(s) a means for generating a three dimensional pattern with a change in the lateral intensity distribution that is asymmetrical along the optical axis, and an evaluation device is configured to determine height information from the detector signal.

Abstract: A scanning LASER ophthalmoscope (SLO) system for real-time montaging includes an adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) and a wide field scanning light ophthalmoscope (WFSLO). At least one stabilization mirror is controlled by a computer to optically stabilize the AOSLO based at least in part on feedback from the WFSLO. The SLO system also includes a steering means. The SLO system continues to acquire and combine a plurality of AOSLO image frames forming a combined AOSLO image at each of a plurality of narrow field of view (FOV) sites until a predetermined number of images or a predetermined image quality metric (IQM) at each of the combined AOSLO images is achieved. A plurality of the combined AOSLO images is combined to form a SLO montaged image of a wide FOV. A method to montage a plurality of scanning LASER ophthalmoscope (SLO) narrow field of view (FOV) images is also described.

Abstract: A resonance testing apparatus has a plurality of arms for supporting a workpiece. At least one of said arms incorporates an articulation assembly having: a strut, a joint element which is movable in response to movement of the strut, and a clamp arrangement for clamping the joint element. The assembly has a first condition in which the joint element is movable and a second condition in which the clamp arrangement acts on the joint element to damp or restrict movement of the strut. The assembly includes a seating for the joint element, and a biasing arrangement for the seating. The assembly has a first condition in which the joint element is arranged on the seating and is movable on the seating and a second condition in which the biasing arrangement acts on the seating to damp or restrict movement of the joint element on the seating.

Abstract: A depth image capture device uses a circular polarization structure positioned at the output of an illumination radiation source, such as a diode laser. A linear polarization element receives the collimated illumination radiation and provides polarized radiation to a quarter wave plate. Radiation exits the quarter wave plate as circularly polarized radiation and is provided to a diffractive optical element outputting a pattern to illuminate a target. A detector receives a reflection of the output pattern from the target.

Abstract: The observation device 1 is a device capable of substantially simultaneously acquiring the fluorescence image and the interference image on the common observation plane in the observation object 90 mounted on slide glass 41, and has an excitation light source 11, a filter 12, a dichroic mirror 13, a lens 14, a dichroic mirror 15, an objective lens 16, a filter 17, a fluorescence imaging unit 18, an interference imaging light source 21, a filter 22, a dichroic mirror 23, a lens 24, a half mirror 25, an objective lens 26, a lens 27, a dichroic mirror 28, an interference imaging unit 29, a position detection light source 31, a light detection unit 32, the slide glass 41, an actuator 42, a reference mirror 43, an actuator 44, a control unit 51, and a display unit 52.

Abstract: A microscope device (100) includes a surgical microscope (20), a camera (30), connected to the surgical microscope (20), for sensing an object (200) imaged by the surgical microscope, a stand (10) carrying the surgical microscope (20) as well as the camera (30), an operating unit (50), spatially separated from the camera (30), for controlling device functions of the camera (30). The operating unit (30) includes a screen (40) for displaying activatable device functions (51) and a selection and activation means, embodied as an actuatable rotary/push operating means (60), for selecting and activating one of the device functions displayed. The operating unit (50) is set up such that by rotating the rotary/push operating means (60), one (52) of the displayed device functions is selected, and by pushing the rotary/push operating means (60), the selected device function (52) is activated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inverted microscope, including a microscope stand having a stand housing. The stand housing has a rear wall, a front wall, and side walls, and an objective turret, a focusing drive, and a rotatable retaining device, which is designed as a reflector turret and which has a plurality of locations for receiving exchangeable optical components. The retaining device protrudes from a side wall of the stand housing so that the optical components can be quickly changed without having to remove the retaining device from the stand housing.

Abstract: Image measuring apparatus configured to measure dimensions of a work piece includes a base, a measuring stage, a supporting portion, an adjusting portion, and a microscope. The measuring stage is configured to place and secure the work piece on the base. The supporting portion is secured to the base. The adjusting portion and the microscope are assembled to the supporting portion. When the adjusting portion is rotated, the adjusting portion drives the supporting portion to slide along a longitudinal direction so that the microscope moves relative to the measuring stage.

Abstract: A dual-configuration microscope is provided. The microscope may be converted into an upright configuration or an inverted configuration. The microscope includes a base having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion configured to support the microscope. The microscope further includes a body having a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second portions. The intermediate portion of the body is rotatably coupled to the upper portion of the base at a rotational coupling. The rotational coupling defines a rotating axis that extends in a longitudinal direction with respect to the microscope. The microscope further includes an objective disposed proximal to the first portion and a light source disposed proximal to the second portion.

Abstract: An objective lens assembly 316 to be attached to a surgical microscope includes an objective lens 328, a roll section 318, a pitch section 320, and an attachment mechanism 330. The roll section 318 allows the objective lens 328 to be rotated sideways without causing a pair of eyepieces 324 to move. The pitch section 320 allows the objective lens 328 to be rotated towards and away from the pair of eyepieces 324 without causing the pair of eyepieces to move. A surgical microscope 300 including the objective lens assembly 316 also includes a microscope body 308 and support structure 302, 304, 306, and 310.

Abstract: A supporting apparatus used for medical treatment includes a support arm in which a leading end side is coupled to a supporting unit supporting an endoscope, and a moving arm that is coupled to a base end side of the support arm, the moving arm moving the supporting unit and supporting the supporting unit in a moved position of the supporting unit. The support arm includes a leading-end-side coupling unit that is turnably coupled to the supporting unit, a base-end-side coupling unit that is disposed in coaxial with the leading-end-side coupling unit and turnably coupled to the moving arm, and an offset unit laterally offset with respect to an axis line R passing through the leading-end-side and the base-end-side coupling units. The offset unit is freely rotatable about the axis line R with respect to the supporting unit and the moving arm.

Abstract: Only a front end part 16 of a surgical microscope 15 is turned in a left-right direction X around a main axis S, so that an observation angle of a surgical site T is freely changed in the left-right direction. Even if the observation angle is changed, the orientation of eyepieces 22 is unchanged, and therefore, an operator does not need to bend his or her neck and no burden is imposed on the neck of the operator even if the operator must conduct an operation that takes a long time.

Abstract: A microscope stand (11) is disclosed, including at least one pivot support (12), a mount (22) attached to a first end (15) of the pivot support (12), and a C-slide displacement assembly (112). The pivot support (12) is held to a stand interface (14) by a parallel guide mechanism (116), which allows the pivot support (12) to perform a circular motion in a vertical plane. The parallel guide mechanism (116) is formed by a cross-lever linkage which is rotatable about a cross-lever axis (115) extending centrally between and parallel to the support axis (113) of the pivot support (12) and the pivot axis (114) of the C-slide displacement assembly (112) and which is connected to both the stand interface (14) and the pivot support (12) in such a way that it transmits its own pivotal state simultaneously and equally to the stand interface (14) and to the pivot support (12).

Abstract: A stereo video microscope system (10), comprising: a stereo video microscope (11) having two output channels for providing stereo image data and including an internal lighting; a display unit (14) having two input channels for receiving and displaying stereo image data; and a control unit operably connected to the stereo video microscope (11) and the display unit (14) such that the control unit can control the operation of the stereo video microscope (11) and the display unit (14) and the flow of stereo image data between the two output channels of the stereo video microscope (11) and the two input channels of the display unit (14). In one embodiment the control unit is configured for performing an image rotation and/or exchanging the output channels such that the stereo image is always upright.

Abstract: Fluorescence is generated from an irradiated point on an inspection surface of a sample and the fluorescence is collected by an objective lens. Here, because of the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens, the fluorescence going out from the objective lens travels along a path shifted from the irradiation light and changed substantially into a non-scan light by a galvano-scanner. The fluorescence passes through a dichroic mirror into a plane-parallel plate after light of unnecessary wavelength is removed by a filter. The plane-parallel plate is driven in synchronization with the galvano-scanner by a computer and corrects the shift and inclination of the optical axis generated by the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens. Then, the fluorescence forms an image of the irradiation point of the inspection surface of the sample on a pin hole of a pin hole plate by using a collective lens.

Abstract: There is provided a microscope apparatus including: a plurality of objective lenses having different magnifications; an imaging system that receives light, which is generated from a sample and emitted from the objective lens when excitation light is emitted to a sample including a fluorescent material that is activated when irradiated with activation light having a predetermined wavelength and fluoresces to be inactivated when irradiated with excitation light having a different wavelength from the activation light in the activation state and that images the light in a state where an astigmatic difference is given to the image of the sample; and an imaging device that captures the image of the sample from the imaging system. The imaging system includes an astigmatic difference changing device that changes the astigmatic difference according to the depth of focus of the objective lens.

Abstract: A digital microscope system, having one or several objectives, a tube lens system, a digital image recording device, a stand, a holder for a specimen and an illuminating apparatus, and optionally at least one magnification changer. One or several objectives, the tube lens system, the digital image recording device and the illuminating apparatus are integrated into a compact optical assembly, and the optical assembly is joinable to the stand in several versions that differ with regard to the spatial position and orientation of the optical assembly relative to the stand and to the specimen. The spatial position and orientation of the optical assembly relative to the stand and to the specimen may correspond, in a first version of the joining, to an upright microscope configuration and, in a second version of the joining, to an inverted microscope configuration.

Abstract: An optical microscope system for reconstructing an image of an object includes a means for creating a light beam profile, an optics for directing the light beam profile to the object, a moving means for implementing a scanning of the object with the light beam profile, a rotating means for enabling rotating the light beam profile and the object, and for changing the direction of scanning, and a detector for measuring the intensity of light passing through or reflected by the object. The image may be tomographically reconstructed using this intensity data associated with various directions as a plurality of projections.

Abstract: At a front end of the lateral arm of a surgical microscope apparatus, the apparatus has an intake port. A band is tied around the front end of the lateral arm so that a drape is drawn only to a surgical microscope. Drawing the drape to the surgical microscope results in clearing the field of vision of a surgeon. Part of the drape around the lateral arm and a longitudinal arm is not drawn, to cause no hindrance in operability of the surgical microscope. The lateral arm and the like are hollow to form an inner ventilating path without separately preparing ventilating tubes or the like for ventilation.

Abstract: A tube of a surgical microscope has a base part, intermediate part pivotable about a rotational axis on the base part, and an ocular part pivotable about a rotational axis on the intermediate part. An imaging beam path passes through the base part, intermediate part and ocular part. The tube has a tube lens system which transfers a parallel imaging beam path into an intermediate image. The parallel imaging beam path enters via an opening in a connecting piece of the base part. The tube has a first mirror movable about the rotational axis on the base part and a further mirror movable on the intermediate part about the rotational axis. The first mirror directs the imaging beam path to the further mirror. The first mirror and further mirror are mounted in the imaging beam path between a lens unit having positive refractive power and a lens unit having negative refractive power.

Abstract: A laser beam processing machine comprising a laser beam application means for applying a laser beam to a workpiece held on a chuck table, a processing-feed means, an indexing-feed means, a processing-feed amount detection means for detecting the amount of feed, an indexing-feed amount detection means, and a control means, wherein the condenser constituting the laser beam application means comprises an elliptic spot forming means for forming a focal spot into an elliptic shape and a focal spot turning means for turning the elliptic focal spot on an optical axis at the center thereof; and the control means comprises a storage means for storing the X, Y coordinate values of a processing line formed on the workpiece, obtains the X, Y coordinate values of the current position of a laser beam application position based on detection signals from the processing-feed amount detection means and the indexing-feed amount detection means, and controls the focal spot turning means to ensure that the long axis of the focal

Abstract: An operating microscope has a main objective (1) that extends along an objective plane and is penetrated by a binocular main observer beam path and a binocular co-observer beam path. The binocular main observer beam path has two main observation pupils (3a, 3b) in the objective plane with centers on a first straight line (7). The binocular co-observer beam path has two co-observation pupils (5a, 5b) in the objective plane with centers on a second straight line (9). The first and second straight lines (7, 9) intersect. The co-observer beam path can be displaced with respect to the main observer beam path so that the angle between the second and first straight line (9, 7) changes. The center point (6) between the co-observation pupils (5a, 5b) in the objective plane displaces when there is a change in the angle between the second and first imagined straight lines (9, 7).

Abstract: A tube for an optical observation device, in particular for a microscope, with a viewing level that is linearly variable in length and/or height, wherein the tube has an optical light path, in which at least two optical elements are disposed, for example, deflecting elements. The tube can be designed, for example, as a swing-in tube, with a base part, wherein a deflecting element is disposed in the base part so that it can rotate around an axis of rotation, and with an eyepiece support that can swing in relative to the base part, wherein a deflecting element is disposed in the eyepiece support so that it can rotate around an axis of rotation. The optical elements may be disposed so that they can move independently of one another in the optical light path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microscope stand (11), in particular a stand for a surgical microscope, including a pivot support (12) and a mount (22) for mounting the microscope (16) to the microscope stand (11). The mount (22) is supported about a first axis of rotation (23) so that it is rotatable relative to pivot support (12) and capable of being braked, the mount being connected via braking force transmission means (30) to a brake (26), which defines a second axis of rotation (27) extending parallel to first axis of rotation (23). The braking force transmission means (30) include two transfer levers (31; 36), whose two ends (32, 33; 37, 38) are connected without play to the mount (22) and the brake (26), respectively, by respective pivot points (41, 46, 51, 56), which are radially spaced apart from their respective axes of rotation (23, 27).

Abstract: A tube of a surgical microscope has a base part, intermediate part pivotable about a rotational axis on the base part, and an ocular part pivotable about a rotational axis on the intermediate part. The imaging beam path is guided through the base part, intermediate part and pivotable ocular part. The tube has a tube lens system which transfers a parallel imaging beam path into an intermediate image. The parallel imaging beam path enters via an opening in a connecting piece of the base part. The tube has a first displaceable mirror element movable about the rotational axis on the base part. The tube has a further displaceable mirror element movable on the intermediate part about the rotational axis. The first mirror element directs the imaging beam path to the further mirror element. The first mirror element and further mirror element are mounted in the imaging beam path between a lens unit having positive refractive power and a lens unit having negative refractive power.

Abstract: A tube unit for microscopes which has a tube lens, including two components with an intermediate, large air separation, and an overall positive refractive power. The air separation is at least half the size of the focal length f of the tube lens. A roof edge mirror or another suitable deflection element is arranged between the two components of the tube lens. The roof edge mirror includes two mirrors, which can be tilted with respect to one another, and which is able to be tilted around its roof edge. The tilting movement or the tilting angle of the tiltable mirror or deflection element corresponds to half the tilt or half the tilting angle of the tube or eyepiece viewing system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image stabilization device which is particularly space-efficient and has a quick response time, and which is integrated into an image capture device for an image capture system of a surgical microscope, including a carrier substrate (101, 102) defining a sensor plane, a plurality of optoelectronic image capturing cells (110) arranged, in particular, in a matrix array; and at least one moving means (120) for moving the optoelectronic image capturing cells (110) relative to the carrier substrate (101, 102).

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: A balancing apparatus for a surgical microscope is suggested for balancing an optics carrier that is held via a pivot support at a stand. The apparatus comprises a Y displacement unit comprising a first slide for displacement of the optics carrier in a Y direction and a Z displacement unit comprising a second slide for displacement of the optics carrier in a Z direction. Both slides are driven by motors. A selector switch enables an operator to select powering either the first motor or the second motor; and a forward-reverse switch enables the operator to select either the forward or the reverse driving mode for the motor powered by the selector switch and consequently establish the forward or the reverse driving mode for the first or second slide, respectively.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a microscope, a digital camera and a computer system. The microscope has an automatically adjustable subassembly having an adjustable element. The digital camera acquires image data of an image of a specimen. The computer system has a display and a storage unit configured to store the image data and to store, associated with the image data, data defining a setting of the automatically adjustable subassembly corresponding to the image data.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning optical components in an optical device and a microscope with such an apparatus are described, comprising a holding device having a plurality of receptacles on which the optical components can be fixed. A stepper motor comprises a motor shaft for rotating the holding device via a toothed belt and therefore positions the optical components. This allows to position optical components in the optical beam path with low noise and in a vibration-free manner.

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: A surgical microscope system is disclosed. The surgical microscope is comprised of a stand which is comprised of a movable base and a support capable of free motion with keeping a particular orientation relative to the movable base; a stereoscopic surgical microscope linked with the support, which is comprised of a pair of first optical systems so as to provide a first stereoscopic magnified view; and a stereoscopic display device having a movable link with the stand, which is comprised of a display screen for displaying stereoscopic image taken by the first optical systems and a pair of second optical systems as to show the stereoscopic image as a second stereoscopic magnified view.

Abstract: A turret knob comprises an adjustable member, an engagement member and a plurality of stop members. The adjustable member is capable of being adjustably positionable about an axis of rotation. The engagement member is coupled to the adjustment member, and a relative position of the engagement member with respect to the axis of rotation corresponds to a position of the adjustable member as the adjustable member is adjustably positioned about the axis of rotation. The plurality of stop members are each selectably positioned about the axis of rotation. Each stop member is capable of interfering with the engagement member and blocking movement of the adjustable member as the adjustable member is adjustably positioned about the axis of rotation. The adjustable member is adjustably positionable about the axis of rotation between adjacent stop member positions.

Abstract: An imaging and displaying system comprises an imaging unit for acquiring images of a treatment site of a subject, a display unit for displaying the images acquired by the imaging unit, and a unit-to-unit connecting device for detachably connecting the imaging unit and the display unit. The imaging unit and the display unit are spatially and movably supported. At least one of the imaging unit and the display unit is detachably attached to an arm with a unit-to-arm detachable device therebetween.

Abstract: A holding arrangement is suitable especially for medical-optical equipment (108). The holding arrangement includes a carrier arm (101) for accommodating a load. The carrier arm (101) is pivotally mounted on a holder (102) with the aid of a first rotational joint (103). The holding arrangement further includes a linear spring arrangement (120) for generating a longitudinal force which acts upon the carrier arm (101) in order to compensate a load torque arising in the first rotational joint (103) of the carrier arm (101). The linear spring arrangement (120) for generating a longitudinal force is pivotally mounted on the holder (102) and applies a force on a curved carrier (119) which is operatively connected to the carrier arm (101).