Abstract: A microscope and methods of using the microscope to image a specimen on a microscope slide are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of a microscope receive a slide carrier that loosely supports a plurality of microscope slides. The microscope may include a slide clamping assembly that clamps the plurality of microscope slides to fixedly support and physically separate the microscope slides from the slide carrier during imaging.

Abstract: An accessory frame for selectively coupling components to an optical microscope for imaging of a subject is provided. The optical microscope has a body including an undercarriage. The accessory frame includes a mounting plate that attaches to the undercarriage of the microscope. The mounting plate includes a first attachment port and a second attachment port. The first attachment port is configured to couple a first optical assembly in an optical path of the microscope between an objective lens of the microscope and the subject. The second attachment port is configured to couple a second optical assembly to the microscope body with at least a portion of the optical path of the second optical assembly being outside of the optical path of the microscope.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present inventive concept provide an accessory frame including an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging head. The accessory frame includes a mounting plate including a microscope field lens attachment port and a microscope field plate anchor pin. The mounting plate is configured to receive an intermediate field lens in the microscope field lens attachment port such that the accessory frame shares the mounting plate in common with an intermediate field lens.

Abstract: A system comprising: an apparatus for training microsurgical suturing on simulated tissue; an imaging system for capturing an image and/or video of the suture; and a suture training recommendation engine configured to determine the suture quality.

Abstract: A spinning cell device is described for fast and convenient standardization and analysis of constituents and isotopes in solid samples by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma (LA-ICP) spectrometry. The method and apparatus for performing the method require the sample under test and a standard to be spun during ablation allowing the quasi-simultaneous ablation of both materials. The aerosols resulting from the ablation of sample and standard are mixed in the ablation cell allowing quantification of the ablated metals by the method of standard addition or isotope dilution. The relative proportion of standard verses sample ablated can be changed by altering the trajectory of the laser beam. The ablated aerosol is swept into an inductively coupled plasma by a carrier gas and analyzed by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A sample holding system for a microscope, including a sample chamber which has an upper opening and is filled with an immersion liquid, and in which a sample embedded in a transparent embedding compound is placed in a holder. Translatory movement of the sample in relation to a detection objective of the microscope, and rotating the sample about an essentially vertical rotational axis in a plane forming an angle different from zero with the optical axis of the detection objective is included. Rotating the sample includes a rotational drive provided with a magnetic coupling or a belt drive and/or toothed wheel rotational drive arranged above the sample chamber.

Abstract: A changing apparatus for a microscope (10) comprises a carrying body (50, 150, 250, 350) supported rotatably around a rotation axis (R), having a first coupling part (52), and at least one optical element (100, 200, 300, 400) having a second coupling part (102) that is couplable to the first coupling part (52) for releasable mounting of the optical element (100, 200, 300, 400) on the carrying body (50, 150, 250, 350). The first coupling part (52) comprises a first mechanical coding structure (56) and the second coupling part (102) comprises a second mechanical coding structure (104) that, in a predetermined installation alignment toward the first coding structure (56), is complementary thereto and, in that installation alignment, is placeable onto the first coding structure (56) perpendicularly to the rotation axis (R) of the carrying body (50, 150, 250, 350).

Abstract: A scanning system that provides for detection based on supercritical angle fluorescence (SAF) is described. The system provides for the optical coupling of a sample to the scanner in a sandwich structure that uses first and second refractive index matching materials to provide optical coupling through the sandwich arrangement.

Abstract: A carrier assembly and an operation method thereof are provided. The carrier assembly comprises a base, a first gear element, a second gear element, an object-carrier and a fixing part. The first gear element is rotatably disposed on the base, and the second gear element is rotatably disposed on the base and meshed with the first gear element. The object-carrier is used for carrying an object. The fixing part connects the base to a carrier platform. Wherein, an included angle is contained between the rotating axis of the first gear element and the rotating axis of the second gear element.

Abstract: A microscope comprising: an XY stage unit for moving a sample holding unit for holding a sample in an optional XY direction within an XY plane orthogonal to the optical axis of an image forming optical system; a display unit for displaying a sample image photographed by a photographing device for photographing a sample image formed by the image forming optical system; a rotating unit for rotating the sample holding unit around an axis perpendicular to the XY plane; and a control unit for controlling the XY stage unit and the rotating unit so that the sample image displayed on the display unit is rotated within a screen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact motorized rotational stage for microscopy applications and control methods for automated sample orientation/rotation. The rotational stage includes a motor, a rotational motion transmission mechanism, and a rotating sample holder for accommodating a holding device such as glass slides/Petri dishes of different sizes. Mouse embryos are used as an example to explain the control methods. A pattern recognition utility was developed for identifying mouse embryo structures. The transformation between the holding device rotational coordinate frame and the translational positioning stage coordinate frame is calibrated during image-based visual servo control. The polar body of an embryo is oriented through purely image-based visual servo control or through coordinate transformation and closed-loop position control.

Abstract: A slide feeding unit for a microscope includes a slide magazine having a base plate; a toothed rack secured to a magazine side wall; and slide guiding elements perpendicular to an open magazine side. The unit further includes a magazine moving mechanism having a magazine-receiving trough including opposite side plates. Two rotary shafts supported by the trough extend along the trough side plates. Magazine-advancing feeding gears are supported by the side plates and may mesh with the toothed magazine rack. Lifting gears, held in the side plates, have pins on which the magazine is supported when raised or lowered. Driving worm gears are rotated by the shafts and mesh with the lifting gears. The unit also includes a slide feeding device having a robot arm displaceable perpendicularly to the direction of advance of the magazine for removing a slide from the magazine.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting semiconductor module packages which includes a cylindrical base section, a truncated spherical section superimposed on the cylindrical base capable of being rotated and tilted on the cylindrical base section, and a tray section superimposed on the truncated section.

Abstract: A microscope for inspecting a semiconductor wafer includes an optical unit including objective lenses and oculars for observing the semiconductor wafer; a display unit for magnifying and displaying an image of the semiconductor wafer observed by the optical unit; a sample piece stage holding the semiconductor wafer; a stage moving unit for moving the semiconductor wafer in an x-axis direction, a y-axis direction or a z-axis direction; a stage rotation unit for rotating the semiconductor wafer in a horizontal direction; a stage tilting unit for tilting the semiconductor wafer; and a controller for controlling operation of the microscope.

Abstract: The invention concerns a holder (1) for positioning a specimen slide (2) on a microscope stage (7), having a baseplate (3), retainable on the microscope stage (7), in which is configured, for reception of the specimen slide (2), an opening (3a) comprising flat support surfaces (3b) and at least one abutment surface (3c), extending substantially perpendicular to the support surface (3b), for the specimen slide (2); and having at least one spring element (4) with which, by means of a compressive force (F) acting substantially horizontally, the specimen slide (2) arranged in the opening (3a) of the baseplate (3) can be pressed against the at least one abutment surface (3c) of the opening (3a).

Abstract: An apparatus for optical scanning of multiple specimens (1) and/or specimen regions, the specimens (1) being associated with a specimen receiving device (2) and being optically scannable by a scanning device (3), is easy to operate for data recording of many specimens in the shortest possible time, using simple and economical optical system components. The apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the specimen receiving device (2) is rotatable about an axis (4).

Abstract: The invention is a solid state process for analyzing genomes by visualizing sequence specific markers (e.g., proteins that bind a defined DNA sequence elements) by scanning probe microscopy. The method includes linear display of the nucleic acid on a solid surface, image acquisition by the scanning probe microscope, and digital data analysis. The acts of the method result in a bar code type display of each fragment of the DNA sample. These bar codes are then used to place the fragments in the order they appear on the original DNA sample.

Abstract: An ergonomic adjustable microscope device comprising a second base pivotably attached to a first base positioned on a support surface is described. The device includes a mechanism for locking a microscope in a nonmovably mounted relationship on the upper surface of the second support base. Manually rotatable adjusting mechanisms located at each rearward corner of the second support base and at all four corners of the first base provide for selectively varying the rearward vertical height of the second support base and mounted microscope and the vertical height of the first base relative to the support surface, respectively, so that a user of the microscope is able to maintain a more neutral position in the neck, back, and shoulder areas.

Abstract: A sample analysis device is provided, the device comprising a frame adapted to accept at least one analysis apparatus, with each analysis apparatus having an analysis distance associated therewith. A eucentric goniometer is operably engaged with the frame and is adapted to eucentrically support a sample at a eucentric point within a reference system defined by the eucentric goniometer. The reference system of the eucentric goniometer is independent of the analysis distance. An axial adjustment device is operably engaged with at least one of the frame and the eucentric goniometer and is configured to coincidentally position the eucentric point and the analysis distance for the respective analysis apparatus. An associated device and method are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microscope support by means of which the microscope can be moved into an ergonomic position for the user. A base plate with adjustable inclination serves at the same time as an arm support. A support plate for the microscope whose height and inclination can likewise be adjusted is articulated at the arm support.

Abstract: A single cell isolation apparatus is provided having a base plate with at least one micromachined well therein, a micromachined membrane, and a housing for holding the other components of the apparatus. The apparatus also may include a gel deposited above the base plate, a second membrane intermediate the base plate and the gel, and a filter above the gel, with the micromachined membrane being above the filter. Each micromachined well associated with the apparatus has a tapered sidewall, with the upper diameter corresponding to the average size of the type of cell attempting to be isolated through the use of the apparatus, and a lower diameter which is less than the upper diameter. The gel component of the apparatus is a nitrocellulose gel. The filter is permeable to cellular products, and preferably is fabricated from paper. The second membrane provides fluid for the gel necessary for maintaining the gel's physical properties.

Abstract: A sample holder for use with a system for imaging a sample is disclosed. The sample holder includes a stage contact member for contacting with a stage. A sample holding member holds the sample to be imaged by the system. One or more adjustment mechanisms can be used to adjusting the position of the sample holding member relative to the stage.

Abstract: Microscopes, including viewing and other microscopic systems, employ a hinged, tiltable plate to adjust focus on a flat object such as a microscope slide or biochip by motion, achieved by tilting, which is substantially normal to the focus point on the plane of the object. By employing two such tiltable arrangements, relatively long scan lines of e.g., flying objective, single pixel on-axis scanning can be accommodated. The tilting support plate is specifically constructed to provide tailored locations for different objects in series along the Y axis of the plate. The plate can accommodate heaters and cooled plates and/or the flat object being examined. In a fluorescence scanning microscope, locations are specifically adapted to receive microscope slides and biochip cartridges such as Affymetrix's “Gene Chip®”. A scanning microscope under computer control, employing such a focusing action, enables unattended scanning of biochips with a simple and economical instrument.

Abstract: A lens testing device comprises a holder, fitted on a stand, for mounting a lens specimen, a test object illuminated from the rear, an imaging objective and a detector for evaluating the image of the test object. The imaging objective can be combined with the detector to form a unit. The lens specimen is an objective specimen and the test object is arranged in the focal plane of the objective specimen inside the holder. The imaging objective is a collimator objective and the detector is arranged in the focal plane of the collimator objective. Either the holder or the unit is pivotably supported on the stand and the holder and the unit can be pivoted relative to one another.

Abstract: A stage assembly for holding a work-piece in a charged particle microscopy system includes a magnetic motor (e.g., brushless linear servo motor) for driving an X-platform riding on a base along the X axis, a non-magnetic linear motor (e.g., piezoelectric motor) for driving a Y-platform riding on the X-platform along the Y axis, and a non-magnetic rotary motor (e.g., piezoelectric motor) for rotating a rotary platform over the Y-platform, wherein the duty cycle of the magnetic motor is substantially greater than the duty cycle of the non-magnetic linear and rotary motors. This along with the particular arrangement of the motors and the platforms yields a compact, durable, and vacuum compatible stage which has minimal mechanical vibrations, minimal interference with the charged particle microscope, minimal particle generation, and high speed area coverage.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a stereomicroscope having a specimen changer which is at least so configured that it is rotatable about a column of a column stand and the specimen changer has receptacles for specimens arranged on a circular path passing through the viewing beam path. The specimen changer includes an inner stationary part and an annular-shaped outer part which includes the receptacles for the specimens. The specimen receptacles have a diameter suitable for receiving commercially available petri dishes.

Abstract: A system is provided for the automated imaging of a succession of microscope slides (S). The slides are mounted in carriers and loaded into cassettes. Slide carriers from a first cassette in a slide loader (2) are ejected from the cassette into a loading station and thence moved by an actuator onto a stage beneath a microscope objective (6) which images a sub-area of a circular sample area on the slide onto an imaging sensor (10) whence images are digitized and stored. The stage (4) is conjointly rotated by a motor (22) as a carrier (24) for the stage is moved linearly, so as to execute a spiral scan of sub-areas of the sample area which sub-areas are successively imaged using a strobe lamp (12) to illuminate the sample area at intervals during the scan determined by signals from an encoder (25). A preliminary scan, which may be in an opposite direction along the spiral, may be used to obtain, for a focus actuator (18), focusing data used during the scan.

Abstract: A centrifuge microscope includes a disk which is rotatable around a rotation axis and which is provided with a sample chamber for accommodating a sample. An observation optical system is provided which includes an objective lens which is positioned such that the sample chamber crosses an optical axis of the objective lens as the disk rotates. A pulsed laser source is provided for emitting a pulsed laser to the sample at a timing at which the sample chamber crosses the optical axis of the objective lens. And a delay time adjusting section is provided for adjusting a delay time of an emission timing of the pulsed laser in accordance with a rotational speed of the disk.

Abstract: The portable microscope includes an end plate for improved inspection of the end surface of a fiber optic cable at a connection point in a fiber optic system. The end plate is mounted on the head unit housing of the microscope and includes a tubular aperture for receiving and positioning the end of the fiber optic cable for microscopic inspection. A reflection bowl is formed about the tubular aperture on the inner surface of the plate to direct more light to the end of the fiber optic cable. The tubular aperture may be formed in an adapter and the adapter may be secured in a threaded aperture of the end plate. A rocker head adapter may be used to provide both direct and angled viewing of the end surface of a glass fiber. Spacer blocks with reflective surfaces are used to position the end plate on the microscope and to direct more light towards the end surface of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An erect movable objective lens type optical microscope includes a frame, an observation optical portion having an objective lens, a stage portion, a moving mechanism, and a vibration synchronizing mechanism. The observation optical portion is movably provided on the frame, and the stage portion is fixedly provided on the frame. The stage portion includes a specimen moving stage, and a stationary stage adapted to receive a manipulator for manipulating a specimen provided on the specimen moving stage. The moving mechanism is provided on the frame for moving the observation optical portion and the stage portion relative to each other, and the vibration synchronizing mechanism is provided for synchronizing a vibration system of the stationary stage and a vibration system of the specimen moving stage.

Abstract: The portable microscope includes an end plate with a reflective inner surface for improved inspection of the end surface of a fiber optic cable at a connection point in a fiber optic system. The end plate is mounted on the head unit housing of the microscope and includes a tubular aperture for receiving and positioning the end of the fiber optic cable for microscopic inspection. A bowl is formed about the tubular aperture on the inner surface of the plate to direct more light to the end of the fiber optic cable. The outer surface of the plate includes a positioning tube for receiving a ferrule with the end of the fiber optic cable and directing the ferrule and fiber optic cable through the aperture into the bowl.

Abstract: A stage driving apparatus comprises a stage mounted with a sample and rotatable about an optical axis of an observation optical system for observing the sample, and two guides, for moving the stage within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the observation optical system, rotatable together with the stage and oriented orthogonal to each other. The apparatus further comprises an input device for inputting a signal representing a moving direction of the stage, a converter for converting a signal inputted to the input device on the basis of an observation image of the sample on the stage through the observation optical system into an output signal with a compensated relative rotational deviation between a moving direction defined by the observation image and a moving direction defined by the two guides and a driving device for moving the stage along the two guides on the basis of the output signal from the converter.

Abstract: A confocal microscope system has a turntable with object locations for mounting multiple samples to be examined in a ring. The turntable is rotated about an axis concentric with the ring. At least one confocal microscope optical system is mounted with components movable axially and radially relative to the ring so that an object region may be scanned through samples mounted in the object locations, each microscope system including a point image detector providing a signal output, and a demultiplexer for receiving the signal output and isolating signal segments associated with different sample locations, and a multiple channel signal processor processes the signals associated with different locations, and a control unit moves axially movable components of each optical system firstly to establish focus reference data for each object and then to control the focus of the microscope responsive to the focus reference data as it scans successive object locations.

Abstract: An ergonomic adjustable microscope base comprising a base positioned on a support surface; rubber bumpers to prevent the base from sliding on the support surface; fasteners for attaching and locking a microscope in a nonmovably mounted relationship with the upper surface of the base; and manually rotatable and lockable adjusters, located at each rearward corner of the base and operatively associated with the base, to provide for selectively varying the rearward vertical height of the base and mounted microscope relative to the support surface, thereby providing a range of forward tilt angles so that a user of the microscope is able to maintain a more neutral position in the neck, back, and shoulder areas.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling biological specimens for a diagnostic device and an apparatus to load the diagnostic device, the diagnostic device including a transport system and a carousel bearing several cassettes containing biological specimens. By means of the mechanical separation of the carousel, transport system and diagnostic device, simultaneous, independent movement of the individual components is possible. Thus, tedious routine inspections for which a selection of biological specimens is necessary can be conducted very quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: A coarse/fine adjustment of a rotary body, comprising: a worm wheel fitted to a rotary shaft of a rotary body; a worm meshing with the worm wheel and having a first screw; a rotary driving shaft having a second screw engaging with the first screw and rotated by a manipulation member and a switching means for effecting a switchover to rotationally or rectilinearly move the worm engaging with the rotary driving shaft. The worm is biased by a biasing means to mesh with the worm wheel while keeping a thrust state.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a mechanical control unit for a supporting stand for a surgical microscope. The mechanical control unit constrains the surgical microscope to move along the surface of a sphere about the point at which surgery is performed when spatially moving the microscope. In this way, the focusing adjustment of the surgical microscope onto the point of surgery is maintained for each viewing direction. The mechanical control unit is connected via adaptation positions to the supporting stand which is translationally movable in three spatial directions and is rotationally movable about three axes.

Abstract: A ultra-compact optical readout device utilizing a binary optical element that provides a wide separation between diffraction efficiency peaks of different polarization modes so that sending and returning light can take distinct paths at the light source and detector, respectively, and also take the same paths at other regions of the device, enabling the simultaneous emission and detection of light for reading information from optical media. The specially designed contour of the binary optical diffracting element also provides the device with focussing capabilities without the need for a cylindrical lens at the detector or light source.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning objects for microscopic examination includes a stage module which may be attached to standard microscope, and a control module. The stage module is comprised of a translating stage, a rotating stage, and a pair of rotating sample holders. The translating stage is movable horizontally in a linear direction, and the rotating stage is carried on the translating stage for rotational movement about a vertical axis. The rotating sample holders may be rotated about their centers, and they are linked together so that their rotational movements are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. The respective movements of the translating stage, the rotating stage and the rotating sample holders are controlled by the control module.