Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for aligning an optical device with an object. The apparatus comprises, a frame (12), a support unit (16) for supporting said optical device or said object and a transportation device (14) arranged to at least tilt the support unit in relation to the frame, wherein a segment of a sphere (18, 22) is provided, which segment defines a spherical surface (20), and the tilting movement of the support unit is controlled by said spherical surface. The apparatus according to the invention allows for a tilting movement between said optical device and said object, while such movement does not lead to a shift in focus. Furthermore the invention relates to an optical instrument and a semiconductor process system comprising said apparatus.

Abstract: A motorized table apparatus comprises: a support unit for supporting a movement table so as to allow it to move in a single axis direction relative to a stationary unit which is fixed to the movement table; a slide member which is equipped on the movement table and which has a length equivalent to, or more than, a moving range of the movement table; an ultrasonic oscillators which is equipped on the stationary unit, which moves the movement table, and which comprises a single piezoelectric body and two drive elements; and a pressure application unit for supporting so that the two drive elements of the ultrasonic oscillator and the slide member are pressed by a constant force, wherein a plurality of the ultrasonic oscillators are equipped.

Abstract: A device for imaging a tissue culture comprises a chamber for housing a tissue to be cultured and imaged. The chamber comprises a transparent window. The device also includes a platform facing the window. Micro-needles are mounted on the platform and are connected for fluid communication with a fluid source. The platform and the window are magnetically biased toward each other to press the micro-needles into a tissue sandwiched between the window and platform for injecting a fluid into the tissue. One or more spacers are placed between the platform and the window for preventing over-compression of the tissue by the platform and the window. During use, a fluid is supplied to the tissue through the needles from the fluid source and the tissue is imaged through the window of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an eyepiece base unit and a microscope with which a phase contrast observation function can be easily added to the microscope. The eyepiece base unit 12 is removably attached to a main unit of the microscope, and includes, in a state of being attached to the microscope, a pupil conjugate plane, which is a plane conjugate with an image side focal plane of an objective lens in an observation optical system of the microscope. By rotating a turret 32 around a central axis 67, phase plates 64a and 64c installed in the turret 32 can be inserted into the pupil conjugate plane. The present invention can be applied to a phase contrast microscope, for example.

Abstract: A specimen slide unit for holding a specimen that is to be examined under a microscope or analyzed with a laboratory analysis system includes a specimen slide, a data carrier device and a signal element. The data carrier device has a radio frequency identification tag that can be read out and/or written on using Phase Jitter Modulation so as to switch a communication carrier frequency between two predefinable communication carrier frequencies. The signal element can be activated so as to assist an operator in following a predefinable processing sequence including a second specimen slide unit when the RFID tag is in a range of action of the read/write device. The signal element can be a visual or an acoustic signal element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating microscopic analysis of a plurality of data-encoded microscope slides. In embodiments, the data written to or read from the slides may comprise images, analysis protocols, analytic results and other pertinent data. Embodiments also encompass a magazine that contains a plurality of data encoded slides.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a container for investigating at least one specimen are described. The method and system include providing a dish. The dish includes a floor, a plurality of sidewalls, and at least one pedestal. The floor has a perimeter. The plurality of sidewalls coupled with the floor proximate to the perimeter. The at least one pedestal resides on a portion of the floor and is pedestal configured to support at least one microscope slide distal from the floor. The at least one microscope slide bears the specimen(s) for investigation.

Abstract: A microscope plate indexing apparatus includes a base platform and an indexing platform. The indexing platform has a slideway to slidingly receive a crystallography or other microscope plate. The indexing platform includes two projecting pins, one of which is a guide pin received in a guide groove in the base platform and the other of which is an indexing pin received in one of a plurality of indexing holes in the base platform. The indexing holes are preferably located in an indexing groove. The guide groove keeps the indexing platform aligned with the base platform during movement of the indexing pin from one indexing hole to the other and maintains the indexing platform in substantially fixed position in relation to the base platform when the indexing pin is in a selected indexing hole to insure correct alignment of the two platforms.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a sample holder for a microscope. The sample holder comprises a sample chamber which is filled with an immersion liquid and in which a sample is located. The sample chamber has an upper opening. It further comprises means for translating the sample relative to a detection objective of the microscope, and means for rotating the sample around an axis of rotation extending in a substantially horizontal plane which encloses an angle other than zero degrees with the optical axis of the detection objective. In a sample holder of this kind, the sample is embedded in a transparent embedding medium having at least partially a greater solidity than the immersion liquid. Further, the sample chamber has means for horizontally supporting the embedded sample against the effect of gravity.

Abstract: A slide holder comprising a rectangular frame having two side walls facing each other, a first end wall facing a second end wall, the second end wall having a latch pivotally attached thereto, the latch capable of being pivoted in such a manner as to enable locking and unlocking of the slide holder in a slide holder carrier. The slide holder carrier has a first end wall, a first side wall, a second end wall, a second side wall, and a shaft running from the first end wall of the slide holder carrier to the second end wall of the slide holder carrier. At least one slide holder is rotatably mounted on the shaft.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism capable of decreasing width and size and a microscope using the positioning mechanism are provided. The positioning mechanism is provided with a supporting shaft possessing a spherical surface part at a prescribed position and guides disposed substantially parallel to the supporting shaft and is characterized, on the assumption that of the three-dimensional directions, the axial direction of the supporting shaft constitutes the z direction, by the fact that the supporting shaft is nipped by the guides at the position of the spherical surface part and enabled to oscillate on the spherical surface part as a fulcrum in the xy directions and as well slide in the z direction.

Abstract: A mobile intra-operative microscopic diagnosis laboratory capable of analyzing fresh tissue specimens and providing intra-operative consultation within 20 minutes is described. The mobile laboratory is preferably a van and contains a cryostat for freezing the fresh tissue specimens and a means for cutting the specimens. In addition, it also contains the means for reading the slides to make microscopic diagnosis and a means for handling for fresh tissue and a means for indicating various locations in the specimen, preferably by inking them. It preferably contains a stainer for staining the samples and an intercom for communicating the microscopic diagnosis back to the operating room.

Abstract: A box-type microscope apparatus includes a stage, a microscope, and a housing, which has a fixed housing and a moving housing provided to be openable, closable, and movable with respect to the fixed housing. The box-type microscope apparatus further includes a specimen vessel positioning device for fixing the specimen vessel placed on the stage at a constant position. of the stage and a positioning release device for actuating the specimen vessel positioning means when the moving housing is moved toward a position of a closed state to release a positioning of the specimen vessel performed by the specimen vessel positioning device with respect to the stage when the moving housing is opened.

Abstract: Provided is a substage for a microscope. The substage is provided with a plurality of fixing members for selectively fixing a plurality of stages, on which a sample is placed, each of which is equipped with a fixing member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a platform suited for use in dual camera, stereoscopic digital cinema. The fixture may have a base, a first convergence plate and a second convergence plate. The base may be mounted to a tripod, steadicam, crane, boom or other device for supporting a platform used in stereoscopic cinematography. The base may have two platforms attached to each other via a linear slide. The convergence plates may be attached to the respective platforms via an XY slide.

Abstract: A sample positioning stage for positioning a sample to be inspected relative to an optical inspection device, including a first generally planar body on which a sample can be carried and a second body directly coupled to the first body via at least one rigid bearing and at least one resiliently compliant bearing provided between the first and second bodies. The first and second bodies are preloaded against each other in a dimension substantially parallel to the plane of the first generally planar body via the bearings. The stage also includes a motorized drive system operable to drive the first and second bodies relative to each other in the first plane toward a demanded relative position received from a position input device, and a position sensing device on at least one of the first and second bodies, for providing a measure of the relative position of the first and second bodies.

Abstract: Control apparatus for a microscope having at least one rotary control member for adjustment of the microscope, the apparatus comprising: a motor; a coupling arrangement driven, in use, by the motor; and a mount arrangement to provide adjustable positioning of the motor relative to the control member, to cause the coupling arrangement to engage the rotary control member to cause the control member to be driven by rotation of the motor.

Abstract: An examination apparatus that has a simple structure and that is capable of determining the condition inside the apparatus and improving the ease of use of the apparatus when a specimen is changed is provided. The examination apparatus includes a stage on which a specimen is disposed; an optical system configured to form an enlarged or reduced image of the specimen; a cover configured to cover the stage and the optical system; an opening and closing member provided as part of the cover; a detection unit configured to detect whether the opening and closing member is in a closed state or an open state; and a stage driving unit configured to move the state. Only when the detection unit detects that the opening and closing member is open, the stage is moved by the stage driving unit to the outside of the cover through an opening covered by the opening and closing member.

Abstract: The present invention is a sample holder for confocal microscopy of CMP pad samples cut or otherwise removed from either new or used CMP pads that maintains a uniform load and pressure over the part of the sample visible to the confocal microscope by placing the pad behind a transparent window and holding it against the said window by a means comprising upper transparent window retaining means having an offset adjacent the transparent window having the same or essentially the same refractive index as the pad material so that when the pad is held against the transparent window, the edges of the pad are outside the outer edge of the transparent window; lower pad retaining means to press the pad under a known/load against the transparent window, which lower pad retaining means has a size less than the size of the pad; spherical force transmitting means pressed against the lower pad retaining means;, through a load cell to measure the load transferred to the sample through lower pad retaining means, the spherical

Abstract: Operational means for automatic microscopic detection and analysis of fluorescent signals from a treated biological sample.

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: The invention relates to a specimen holder (10) for retaining specimens (9) for microscopic examination, which holder comprises two bars (3a, 3b) displaceable in opposite directions that are equipped on their mutually facing sides (7) with at least one respective recess (4a), in order to retain a specimen (9) by at least partial contact of those recesses against an outer edge of the specimen (9). It is proposed that the sides (7) of both bars (3, 3a, 3b) facing away from one another also be equipped with at least one respective recess (4b), so as thereby to increase the number of possibilities for specimen retention when both sides (7) of the bar (3a, 3b) are used by transposing the bars or by inserting them after a 180-degree rotation. It is further proposed to retain the bars (3a, 3b) magnetically on the specimen holder (10) so that the bars can easily be disassembled and reinserted following rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microscope table (1) having a recess (6) for receiving at least one object-holder means. Said recess (6) is dimensioned in such a way that it is suitable for receiving a standard microtiterplate. For this purpose, said recess preferably comprises a substantially rectangular region with a length of at least 86 mm and a width of at least 128.3 mm. The device also relates to an insert for holding at least one object-holder means, which insert has a substantially rectangular shape with a width and length which correspond to the width and length, respectively, of a standard microtiterplate.

Abstract: A sample stage is provided with first to fourth plates. Each of the first to fourth plates has a first side surface and a second side surface. The first and the second side surfaces are adjacent to each other. The first and the second side surfaces extend perpendicularly to each other. The second side surface of the second plate is in contact with the first side surface of the first plate. The second side surface of the third plate is in contact with the first side surface of the second plate. The second side surface of the fourth plate is in contact with the first side surface of the third plate. The second side surface of the first plate is in contact with the first side surface of the fourth plate. A first rectangular opening is formed by the first side surfaces of the first to fourth plates.

Abstract: A box-type microscope apparatus includes a stage, a microscope, and a housing, which has a fixed housing and a moving housing provided to be openable, closable, and movable with respect to the fixed housing. The box-type microscope apparatus further includes a specimen vessel positioning device for fixing the specimen vessel placed on the stage at a constant position. of the stage and a positioning release device for actuating the specimen vessel positioning means when the moving housing is moved toward a position of a closed state to release a positioning of the specimen vessel performed by the specimen vessel positioning device with respect to the stage when the moving housing is opened.

Abstract: A comparison optical system (1) comprising several image-acquiring optical subsystems is disclosed. A bridge (3) mechanically and optically connects the optical subsystems to one another. Each of the image-acquiring optical subsystems possesses an XYZ stage (8a, 8b), movable in motorized fashion, on which a sample to be examined is placed. Also provided is a control unit which moves the XYZ stages (8a, 8b), movable in motorized fashion, synchronously in all three spatial directions. The synchronous motion of the XYZ stages (8a, 8b) can be switched on and off by the user.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a casing in which an optical element is housed, an airtight specimen chamber, and an environment control unit that controls temperature and humidity in the specimen chamber and also controls temperature inside the casing. An upper plate of the specimen chamber is an open/close lid opened and closed when inserting or removing a biological specimen. The casing becomes sealed by a bottom plate of the specimen chamber as the specimen chamber is set on the casing.

Abstract: Apparatus for single-handed control of a microscope are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first controller, such as a first rotary controller, is configured for manipulation by a hand of a user to adjust a position of a microscope stage. Another controller, such as a second rotary controller, is configured and arranged relative to the first rotary controller for manipulation by an extended finger of the same hand to review, e.g., scroll through, previously identified portions of a biological specimen while the user's first hand may or may not remain in contact with the first rotary controller. In this manner, the user may continue to review the previously identified specimen portions without having to look away from the microscope.

Abstract: Methods and systems for scanning a cytological specimen carried by a slide. Movement or positioning of a motorized stage of an automated screening system may be controlled manually by a user such that the user controls movement, e.g., controlling speed, position, and/or timing, of the motorized stage along a first scan line to controllably scan a first portion of the specimen along the scan line. The user may then index the motorized stage from the first scan line to the next scan line and manually control movement of the stage along the second scan line to controllably scan another portion of the specimen. Stage indexing may also be automatic such that the user does not control or initiate indexing.

Abstract: A stage for supporting a specimen slide and for calibrating a microscope includes a base and a calibration component integral with the base. The calibration component includes at least one calibration element for positional calibration and at least one calibration element for optical calibration. Calibration of the microscope can be performed without the need for independent calibration slides. The calibration component may be a glass calibration component or may be defined by a calibration element formed or etched through the base.

Abstract: A glass slide is accurately held in position with a simple structure. A stage apparatus 1 is provided which includes mounting surfaces 3 on which a glass slide 2 is mounted, abutments 5a and 5b that butt against two adjacent side surfaces 2c and 2d, respectively, of the glass slide 2 mounted on the mounting surfaces 3, and a pressing mechanism 4 for pressing two side surfaces 2a and 2b opposite the two respective side surfaces 2c and 2d that butt against the abutments 5a and 5b in respective directions toward the abutments 5a and 5b. The pressing mechanism 4 includes a plurality of pressing members 11 and 12 for pressing the two side surfaces 2a and 2b, respectively, of the glass slide 2 at different timings.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be mounted on the moveable stage of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal (106) is carried on the support. The accessory includes a registration indicium which is located at a fixed position relative to the sample contacting area of the crystal. The registration indicium is preferably provided at the apex region of the crystal. The registration indicium can be used to ensure correct focussing of a sample when obtaining an image of the sample.

Abstract: A device for histological research includes at least one container with shelves for slide trays connected to a flexible drive enabling reciprocating vertical motion of the container. The drive comprises a circular drive cable, a motor and at least one pulley. The device also includes a horizontal pusher provided on the working end with a tool for gripping the slide tray and moving it into the working zone outside the container and then back into the container, as well as a slide gripper capable of moving horizontally over the working zone in the direction perpendicular to that of the horizontal pusher.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for optically scanning a sample, especially using a microscope. To this end, an adjustment unit and a scanning device are provided. The sample is displaced in relation to the scanning device by means of the adjustment unit which is acted upon by a control installation, or vice versa. According to the invention, a displacement window is defined for the adjustment unit and/or the scanning device, inside which mechanical collisions between the sample and the scanning device are prevented. This is especially advantageous in biological samples. A non-contact sample sensor is provided for the prevention of collisions, the sensor operating, for example, by electromagnetic or acoustic waves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample manipulation device comprising an observation unit, which is used to observe a sample and to select a target position at which a portion to be removed from the sample is located, and a specimen stage which receives the sample. In a sample manipulation device of this type, there are provided a manipulation tool, which is spatially shiftable relative to the observation unit and comprises a manipulation tip by which portions are removed from the sample, a control unit, which controls the shifting of the manipulation tool, as well as an optical position measurement unit, which is connected to the control unit and is used to determine the actual position of the manipulation tip, so that specific shifting of the manipulation tip to the target position can be carried out.

Abstract: A configurable slide imaging system includes a plurality of slide cassettes, each cassette configured for accessibly storing a plurality of specimen slides, a plurality of imagers, each operatively coupled with one or more processors for processing images obtained of respective specimen slides retrieved from the storage cassettes, and a slide transport system including a movable arm having a slide engagement mechanism, the slide transport system configured for retrieving slides from the slide cassettes and positioning them on a slide stage of a respective imager, and for retrieving slides from a slide stage of an imager and transporting them to a respective storage cassette. The number of imagers may be selected, and their operation synchronized, so as to minimize down time of the extendable arm 204.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for regulating the temperature of the sample space of a microscope, preferably for observing cells (live cell imaging) with an objective turret carrying objectives, a sample holder serving to receive a sample, a heating or cooling insert with an incubator hood for managing the temperature of the sample holder, and an objective heating element or objective cooling element. According to the invention, at least one structural component part which blocks the heating flow or cooling flow is provided between the objective heating element or objective cooling element and the objective turret.

Abstract: An optical system is provided to include an optical unit with an optical axis extending through a light transmissive sample embedded in a transparent substrate, to focus on the sample embedded in the substrate and to scan the sample according to the main plane of the transparent substrate. The optical axis extends under an angle unequal to zero relative to the normal of the main plane of the transparent substrate, in order to perform a volumetric observation of a sample by obtaining information items focused in all thickness directions within the sample, at a high speed, without requiring any movement along the thickness direction of the sample.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be mounted on the moveable stage (20) of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal is carried on the support. The mounting (100) is preferably pivotally mounted on the support (40) so that it can be pivoted from a position in which the crystal lines on the axis of the microscope to a position in which a sample carried on the support can be observed visually. The mounting is arranged such that it can be returned reliably and reproducibly to its original position with the crystal on the axis.

Abstract: A holding device for retaining a number of slides (12) with tissue specimens, wherein the surfaces of the microscope slides in retained position are located in a common plane, comprises an elongated hanger (1) having a clamping means (6) for releasable clamping of microscope slides (12) in a hanging position with the surfaces in said plane, the microscope slides being clamped at their upper end and by release from the clamping means (6) being free to fall from the hanger (1) because of their own weight. The clamping means (6) preferably is arranged to cooperate with a loading rack (7) having a supporting surface (14) for support of the current microscope slides (12) in said plan, the hanger (1) being able to be introduced into the rack (7) and the clamping means being able to actuated so that all microscope slides placed on the supporting surface are clamped in the holding device.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be fixed to the moveable stage (20) of the microscope. A mounting member (100) is carried by the support (40). A sample supporting member (60) is disposed below the location of the ATR crystal (106). The sample supporting member (60) is carried on the support (40) such that it can be moved to restricted extent relative to the support and defines a sub-stage which can be moved relative to the main stage (20) of the microscope.

Abstract: Manipulator (1) for displacing an object holder (4), which manipulator (1) comprises a base (2), an actuator (5), a transmission (7), a guide (11) and an object holder (4). The actuator (5) is connected to the base (2) and displaces the object holder (4) via the transmission (7) when operating the actuator (5). The guide (11) is connected to the base (2) and to the object holder (4) and adapted such that it guides the object holder (4) parallel to itself.

Abstract: Providing a microscope apparatus supplying efficiently and collecting a liquid upon observation with local liquid immersion. The apparatus including an objective of a liquid immersion system, discharging means discharging the liquid between a front edge of the objective and a substrate, and sucking means sucking the liquid. Inclined faces are provided respectively in two positions adjacent to the front edge in the periphery of the objective, and protruded portions are provided in positions adjacent to the inclined faces. An aperture portion surrounded by the protruded portions and the substrate is formed in the side face. The discharging means includes a tubular member provided on the inclined face and the liquid is discharged by using the tubular member. The sucking means includes a tubular member and the liquid is sucked while taking in the air via the aperture portion by use of the tubular member.

Abstract: A scanner arrangement (50), in particular a scanning microscope, for optically scanning an object (101) in a sequence of scanning steps, has: a drivable moving object stage (40) and an objective assembly (4, 7-10), which has a front objective lens (9, 103) on an objective lens carriage (8) which can be moved parallel to the object stage (40) by a carriage drive (5, 6, 10, 11), wherein the object stage (40) can be driven during the sequence of scanning steps in order to achieve a continuous movement and the objective lens carriage (8) with the front objective lens (9, 103) can be driven in each of the scanning steps for a forward movement step, in which the front objective lens (9, 103) is moved synchronously with the object stage (40) out of an initial position, and in each case between successive scanning steps for a backward movement into the initial position, with the object (101) being able to be optically scanned during the continuous movement of the object stage (40).

Abstract: An actuating mechanism includes a scanner chip having a scan table mounting cavity, and a bracket moveably positioned in the scan table mounting cavity. A scan table is moveably positioned in the bracket. The bracket has a first mass and the scan table has a second mass. A first coil and frame collectively define a third mass and a second coil and frame collectively define a fourth mass. A first pivoting element is connected to the first coil and the scan table. The first pivoting element is pivotally supported about a first pivot point and connected though an asymmetrical leverage connection to the first coil and the scan table. A second pivoting element is connected to the second coil and the scan table. The second pivoting element is pivotally supported about a second pivot point and connected through a symmetric leverage connection to the second coil and the scan table.

Abstract: A clear fluorescence image is obtained by preventing external light from mixing with weak fluorescence emitted from a specimen, while reducing the size of the overall apparatus. The invention provides a fluorescence microscope apparatus including a stage for mounting a specimen; an objective lens for collecting fluorescence from the specimen; a moving mechanism for relatively moving the stage and the objective lens; a first cover member secured to the objective lens; a second cover member, provided at the stage, for enclosing a tip of the objective lens and a space above the stage, together with the first cover member; and a light-blocking member allowing relative movement of the first and second cover members while preventing leakage of light from a gap between the two cover members.

Abstract: Improvements in FISH staining employing a microscope slide holder which allows for batch processing of slides in the hybridization process.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing live cell analysis includes a stage housing and a chamber assembly. The stage housing includes a cover having a bottom surface. The chamber assembly is movably disposed below and movable relative to the cover of the stage housing and can removably receive a specimen plate holding live cells. The chamber assembly includes a chamber housing having a perimeter wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface extending from an upper end to a spaced apart lower end. The perimeter wall bounds a compartment that passes all the way through the chamber housing from the upper end to the lower end. At least one gas outlet port is formed on the chamber housing so as to be in communication with the compartment of the chamber housing to allow gas to enter the compartment. A light can be mounted to the cover to facilitate high content screening of the live cells using a microscope in bright field mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to microscopy and, more particularly, to a novel specimen heating and retaining assembly designed to eliminate or reduce z-axis drift during microscopic examination of heated specimens. Attributes of the novel system of the present invention include that it has a minimal thermal mass allowing temperature to be changed/controlled more rapidly. Additionally the heat dissipated by this minimal thermal mass is insulated from the stage of the microscope which greatly reduces the thermal expansion of the scope stage and scope body. The support surface of the heated plate is coplanar with the specimen plane so that the dimensional changes that occur due to changes in heat do not affect the Z axis position of the specimen. The novel system of the present invention is also adjustable so that the end user can compensate for variations in the thicknesses of a variety of commercially available plastic ware and glass slides.

Abstract: A slide holder (6) for use with a microscope to accurately locate a slide (19) in position under the microscope has a pivotal lever (13) having a clamping and locating portion (14) with abutments (15) and (16) which bear on respective edges of the slide when it is in the clamped position. Further abutments (10) on a fixed angular plate (9) locate the other edges of the slide. The slide holder is adapted for mounting on a slide translation stage of a slide loader (1) which includes a stationary sensor block (20) positioned to engage the lever (13) when the slide holder moves from its inspection or scanning position under the microscope to a loading/unloading position. The slide translation stage includes a robotic head for lifting and depositing slides and the translation stage includes a bar code reader to read a bar code on the slide.