Abstract: The disclosure features methods and systems that include positioning a surface of a coverslip overlying a sample relative to an object plane of a microscope system, projecting a two-dimensional pattern of light onto the surface, where a focal plane of the two-dimensional pattern at a position of the surface is rotated by an angle ? relative to the object plane, obtaining a two-dimensional image of the pattern of light reflected from the surface using a detector that includes an imaging sensor oriented perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the reflected pattern of light at the sensor, analyzing the image to determine a line of best focus of the pattern within the image, determining an offset of the line of best focus from an expected position of the line of best focus within the image, and determining a position adjustment of the surface based on the offset.

Abstract: A specimen slide for holding tissue specimens, and a method of loading tissue specimens on the specimen slide are described. The specimen slide can be printed with control and patient information corresponding to respective control and patient tissue specimens mounted on the specimen slide. The control and patient information can be printed at different times. The control information may be printed before loading the control tissue specimen on the specimen slide, and the patient information can be printed after loading the control tissue specimen on the specimen slide. The control and patient information may be encoded in a first barcode and a second barcode, respectively. The barcodes can have different configurations, such as different barcode types or different orientations. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes a sample carrying module, a light source module and a lens module. The sample carrying module includes an adhesive element and a body having a light-transmission region and a sample viewing surface. The adhesive element is detachably adhered to the body, and at least partially covers the light-transmission region, such that the adhesive element is disposed adjacent to the sample viewing surface. The light source module is detachably disposed at a side of the body, and includes a base and a light source. The base has an aperture, and the sample carrying module is detachably disposed at a side of the aperture. The light source is disposed in the base. The lens module includes at least one lens, which is detachably disposed at one side of the sample carrying module and substantially focuses at the sample viewing surface, and corresponds to the light source module.

Abstract: A device for the culturing and/or isolation and/or detection and/or identification and/or counting of at least one target microorganism in a sample liable to contain it, which includes a support and a nutrient medium; the support including: a hydrophilic fibrous substrate, at least one porous layer in contact with one of the faces of the fibrous substrate, including a pigment or a mixture of pigments and at least one binder, the pigment having a size of less than 5 ?m and the amount of the pigment or the mixture of pigments being between 50 and 97% by dry weight, with respect to the dry weight of the porous layer; the nutrient medium being included in the fibrous substrate. Also relates to the use and to the process for the manufacture of the device.

Abstract: Method for isolating microorganism from a sample likely contaminated by microorganism, including: (a) device for isolating microorganisms including a bottom waterproof layer, a nutritional layer, which is placed on the bottom layer and includes a dehydrated culture medium, an isolation layer which is pervious to elements included in the nutritional layer and is capable of retaining the bacteria on the surface and covering all or part of the nutritional layer, and a top protective layer; (b) depositing a volume of the sample on the isolation layer; (c) isolating the microorganisms by impoverishing or layering the sample using an isolating device; (d) incubating the device for an amount of time at a temperature to enable growth of microorganisms, method including at least one step of rehydrating the culture medium using a volume of liquid before or with step b) and/or c) and/or d), before or simultaneously with step b) and/or c).

Abstract: A specimen slide (100) having a sample region (101) in which a sample (200) that can be investigated microscopically can be arranged, and that comprises reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, ?-?) arranged at least in the sample region (101), is proposed. The reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, ?-?) are embodied in such a way that on the basis of an identification of at least a stipulated number of reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, ?-?) in an arbitrary sub-region (102) of the sample region (101), the position of the arbitrary sub-region (102), and/or at least one position therein, on the specimen slide (100) can be unequivocally determined A method for determining and/or retrieving a position on a corresponding specimen slide, and a corresponding sample investigation system, are likewise subjects of the invention.

Abstract: A system for performing sample probing. The system including an topography microscope configured to receive three-dimensional coordinates for a sample based on at least three fiducial marks; receive the sample mounted in a holder; and navigate to at least a location on the sample based on the at least three fiducial marks and the three-dimensional coordinates.

Abstract: An improved microscope stage mount with built-in fiduciary markers is used for fluorescence microscopy, and comprises: (a) an optically-transparent glass plate adapted for specimen mounting and microscope viewing and comprising a specimen mounting area; and (b) a defined and ordered, two-dimensional microscopic array of fiduciary markers, wherein the markers are polymeric pillars affixed to the plate about the specimen mounting area, wherein the markers provide a three-dimensional spatial reference for the specimen.

Abstract: A specimen slide (100) having a sample region (101) in which a sample (200) that can be investigated microscopically can be arranged, and that comprises reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, ?-?) arranged at least in the sample region (101), is proposed. The reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, ?-?) are embodied in such a way that on the basis of an identification of at least a stipulated number of reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, ?-?) in an arbitrary sub-region (102) of the sample region (101), the position of the arbitrary sub-region (102), and/or at least one position therein, on the specimen slide (100) can be unequivocally determined A method for determining and/or retrieving a position on a corresponding specimen slide, and a corresponding sample investigation system, are likewise subjects of the invention.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to optical microscope calibration devices that can be used with optical microscopes to adjust the microscope imaging parameters so that images of samples can be obtained below the diffraction limit. The microscope calibration devices include at least one calibration target. Each calibration target includes a number of features with dimensions below the diffraction limit of a microscope objective. Separate color component diffraction limited images of one of the calibration targets are obtained for a particular magnification. The color component images can be combined and image processed to obtain a focused and non-distorted image of the calibration target. The parameters used to obtain the focused and non-distorted image of the calibration target can be used to obtain focused and non-distorted images of a sample for the same magnification by using the same parameters.

Abstract: Non-rigidly coupled, overlapping, non-feedback optical systems for spatial filtering of Fourier transform optical patterns and image shape characterization comprises a first optical subsystem that includes a lens for focusing a polarized, coherent beam to a focal point, an image input device that spatially modulates phase positioned between the lens and the focal point, and a spatial filter at the Fourier transform pattern, and a second optical subsystem overlapping the first optical subsystem includes a projection lens and a detector. The second optical subsystem is optically coupled to the first optical subsystem.

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 slide microscope microscope slide coverslip constructed of a glass or plastic plate having an indicium thereon which can be used to uniquely or non-uniquely identify the microscope slide coverslip or the microscope slide to which the microscope slide coverslip is attached and/or provide information therefor. The indicium, such as a barcode, may be machine readable. The microscope microscope slide coverslip may have an adherent surface and a non-adherent surface, the adherent surface having a solvent activated dry adhesive film (adhesive coating) bonded thereto and having an indicium thereon for indicating the adherent side of the microscope slide coverslip. The dry adhesive film of the adherent surface is non-tacky (non-sticky) in its storage or preapplication condition. At use, the adhesive of the adherent side can be activated by a solvent.

Abstract: A system is provided for marking on a recording medium (36), such as a label, the location of imaged tissue with respect to an exposed surface of the tissue (34). Tissue is imaged by a microscope (11) capable of imaging sections of the tissue below the exposed tissue surface through optics. A ring (32) applied to the surface of the tissue stabilizes the tissue to the optics and localizes a portion of the tissue surface through an aperture in the ring. An actuator (38) is connected to both the ring and the microscope for moving the ring to adjust the position of the tissue with respect to the optics, thereby allowing an operator of the system to survey different images of tissue sections with the microscope.

Abstract: A sheet glass for microscopy includes a base plate and a metal pattern configured on the base plate. The structure of the sheet glass increases the throughput, reduces the cost and shortens the distance between grids and targets for keeping grids and targets within the depth of field of the microscope. A manufacturing method of sheet glass for microscopy is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for conveying microscopic constituents from a testing surface to a slide. The microscopic constituents are observed through a viewer. A transparent tape permits the passage of light through the transparent tape. A plurality of markers are positioned on the transparent tape. An adhesive layer on the transparent tape affixes the constituents about the plurality of markers upon impressing the transparent tape against the testing surface. The adhesive layer affixes the transparent tape to the slide for preserving and restraining the constituents. The transparent tape and the slide enable the identification and calculation of the number of the constituents per each area occupied by each of the plurality of markers.

Abstract: The present invention is a microscope microscope slide coverslip constructed of a glass or plastic plate having one or more indicia thereon which can be used to uniquely or non-uniquely identify the microscope slide coverslip or the microscope slide to which the microscope slide coverslip is attached and/or provide information therefor. Preferably the indicium, such as a barcode, is machine readable. The microscope microscope slide coverslip may have an adherent surface and a non-adherent surface, the adherent surface having a solvent activated dry adhesive film (adhesive coating) bonded thereto and having an indicium thereon for indicating the adherent side of the microscope slide coverslip. The dry adhesive film of the adherent surface is non-tacky (non-sticky) in its storage or preapplication condition. At use, the adhesive of the adherent side can be activated by a solvent.

Abstract: A slide printing system includes a printer comprising a slide stage and a print head, a first locking mechanism configured to hold a first slide-holding repository, and a slide handler configured to rotate about an axis for transporting a specimen slide from a slide-holding repository held in the first locking mechanism to the slide stage.

Abstract: Stage apparatus for improving the accuracy of microscope stage positioning, including a stage having a fixed portion, a platform movable relative to the fixed portion, and an integral memory device for storing data relating to the positioning of the platform.

Abstract: In the present invention, a micro-pattern embedded optical film for cell-based assays is described. The optical film contains micro-patterns in the form of geometric shapes, such as lines and curves, and numbers and letters. Furthermore, the optical film contains a coordinate system that allows identification of each location on the optical film for cell-based assays, including cell growth, identification, and measurements under an optical microscope. Furthermore, an apparatus with the micro-pattern embedded optical film and a supporting part is described. Methods for making the optical film and apparatus are disclosed. A method for performing cell-based assays using the optical film or apparatus is shown.

Abstract: A quantitative cell-counting slide includes a plurality of counting chambers juxtapositionally formed in the slide; each counting chamber including a first counting portion consisting of a plurality of miniature grids of which each miniature grid may be formed to have a volume of 0.01 micro-liter for counting any kind of cells, and a second counting portion formed on a platform and consisting of a plurality of HPF (High Power Field) volumetric grids each formed to have a quantitative volume of 0.0083 micro-liter generally equal to one HPF volume adapted for cell counting used in urinary sediment microscopic examination.

Abstract: A tissue dissecting board assembly for use in tissue restoration and reconstruction surgeries. The assembly is constructed of an optically clear polymeric dissecting board having a plurality of cooperating cavities for holding chemical solutions and compositions required for tissue restoration and reconstruction surgeries. An illumination source is further incorporated in the dissecting board structure to provide an illuminated working area.

Abstract: A Z-axis stage for use in, e.g., an orthogonal motion microscope stage, includes a carrier plate, an actuator plate, and a base. Three or more upper camming elements with downwardly directed camming surfaces are mounted to the underside of the carrier plate using a semi-kinematic mounting technique. Three or more lower camming elements with upwardly directed camming surfaces are mounted to the top surface of the base using a semi-kinematic mounting technique. The actuator plate includes apertures to accommodate the lower camming elements and the upper and lower camming surfaces of adjacent camming elements are mated. Linear slides are interposed between the mated camming surfaces and the lower camming elements and the base. Movement of the actuator plate in an X-Y reference plane translates into movement of the carrier plate along the Z-axis (i.e., the optical axis) in response to the relative, sliding motion of the mated camming elements.

Abstract: A slide for the microscopic examination of biological fluids, such as urine, blood, spinal fluids, designed to count particles or elements (e.g., corpuscles) present in a predetermined sample. The slide has two plates made of a transparent material, which distinguish on their inside at least one well that is filled, by capillarity, with drops of biological fluid deposited onto the slide itself. Counting chambers are formed on the bottom of at least one well. Each chamber defines a precise volume of biological fluid to be examined. The slide is characterized by the particular and innovative shape and definition of these counting chambers. In particular, the counting chambers have a bottom surface with a roughness differing from the roughness of the boundary defining or demarcating the counting chamber.

Abstract: A slide for use in microscopic examination of biological fluid is constituted by two plates of transparent material, one plate being a bottom and the other plate being a cover, the plates forming wells which are filled by capillarity with the biological fluid to be examined. A plurality of reliefs form a plurality of computation chambers in each well. The reliefs which define each computation chamber sectioned along a plane perpendicular to the bottom of the well have a shaped section along a profile assimilable to a polygon having at least one right angle.

Abstract: An adhesive label 3 for attaching to a microscope slide 1 is disclosed. The label 3 may have one or more grids or arrays 2 provided on it to help an operator to manually spot a microscope slide 1.

Abstract: A slide for use in microscopic examination of biological fluid is constituted by two plates of transparent material, one plate being a bottom and the other plate being a cover, the plates forming wells which are filled by capillarity with the biological fluid to be examined. A plurality of reliefs form a plurality of computation chambers in each well. The reliefs which define each computation chamber sectioned along a plane perpendicular to the bottom of the well have a shaped section along a profile assimilable to a polygon having at least one right angle.

Abstract: A cover slip material and a method of making and using the same are provided. The material comprises (a) a light transmissible polymeric backing having first and second surfaces; (b) a tack free bonding layer disposed on the first surface of the backing, the bonding layer comprising polymers selected from the group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, and combinations thereof; and (c) a protective coating disposed on the second surface of the backing. Upon exposure to an environmentally friendly activating solvent such as terpene, d-limonene, esters of coconut oil and aliphatic hydrocarbon blends, the bonding layer acquires tacky properties causing the cover slip to adhere to a specimen previously mounted on a microscope slide.

Abstract: A microscope slide having a well formed therein, wherein the well is filled with culture media. The slide is designed for on-site collection, staining, and viewing of cells in biological fluid and tissue samples, preferably with an epi-fluorescence microscope. This novel slide permits point-of-care screening in a matter of minutes of any biological fluid or tissue sample for presence of infectious agents, after which, the slide can be transported to a central lab for culture and/or definitive identification.

Abstract: A biochemical substance is efficiently observed with focusing accurately and rapidly on the substance disposed on an inside of a container. A focusing mark, which is used as a reference when a focal point of an optical system is adjusted, is disposed on the outside of a transparent bottom of each well in a micro plate. A focus-shift-distance corresponding to a distance between the mark and a desired position to be observed is determined. The optical system focuses on the mark, and then, the focal point the optical system is shifted by the focus-shift-distance. This shift allows an object to be focused on accurately and rapidly even when unclear images are obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for examining an object in three dimensions including an optical system having an illumination side and an observation side; an illumination grid located in an illumination plane on the illumination side of the optical system and which during use generates an array of illumination points that is projected by the optical system onto a focus plane at a site at which the object is located, the optical system in turn directing light from that site into an observation plane on the observation side of the optical system, the illumination grid being a first aperture plate having a first passive array of pinholes; a detector array of light-sensitive regions located on the observation side of the optical system; and a second aperture plate located between the detector array and the optical system, said second aperture plate having a second passive array of pinholes.

Abstract: A transparent elongated, rectangular glass microscope slide having a specimen observation spot defined by a removable border or frame. The border corresponds to the rectangular perimeter of the glass slide and includes a tab which may be grasped to peel off the border. In use, a cytological GYN PAP smear specimen is placed on the plain glass within the confines of the releasable paper border. The border is then removed after fixing the specimen. The slide also features a frosted end portion for marking identification data. The frosting may include permanent markings such as “NAME” to designate a certain frosted area for marking the desired information such as the patient's name and identification number. A tab is placed on the border end and overlaps a portion of the frosted area, and thus does not protrude outward from the side of the slide.

Abstract: Fluorescence microscope with blocking filters for a portion of the light emitted by a specimen have markings referring to the orientation of their wedge angle. A marking to which the marking on the filter can be oriented in a defined manner is preferably provided on the filter holder of the microscope, the filters being marked with respect to their wedge angle.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a microscope, in particular a confocal or double confocal scanning microscope, as well as a method for operating a microscope, at least one specimen support unit associated with the specimen being provided, at least one reference specimen of known configuration being provided, and the reference specimen being detectable by light microscopy for calibration, alignment or adjustment of the microscope. With the microscope according to the present invention and the method according to the invention for operating a microscope, drift-related changes can be detected and compensated for. Auxiliary means with which a specimen can easily and reliably be focused are also provided.

Abstract: The slide for the microscopic examination of biological fluids is constituted by two plates of transparent material, one plate being the bottom and the other plate being the cover, the plates forming wells which are filled by capillarity with the biological fluid to be examined. The reliefs which define each computation chamber sectioned along a plane perpendicular to the bottom of the well have a shaped section along a profile assimilable to a polygon having at least one right angle.

Abstract: An active confocal image acquisition apparatus includes a confocal image acquisition system and a liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel is disposed in the confocal image acquisition system so that its elements are aligned with elements of the detector. The light transmittance of elements of the liquid crystal panel is adjusted so as to make the intensities of reflection of all pixels (the values attained when the parts reflecting light are at or near the focused position) as close to a predetermined level as possible. By this configuration and method of using it, the active confocal image acquisition apparatus can perform accurate measurement if there are high-reflectance and low-reflectance parts together in the measuring field.

Abstract: A system for managing specimens in a clinical laboratory comprises specimens and a computer controlled instrument. Each specimen includes a biological sample and an identifier which is unique to the specimen to which it is applied. The computer controlled instrument includes a reader for automatically logging and verifying the specimen to be analyzed, and a print head for modifying the identifier to indicate whether the specimen has been analyzed and whether the sample includes any abnormalities. The print head is also used to indicate whether the specimen has been reanalyzed. Further, the print head works to print symbols adjacent the locations of the abnormalities in the sample.

Abstract: A self-staining microscopic slide designed for immediate staining and viewing of cells in biological fluid and tissue samples, preferably with an epi-fluorescence microscope. The pre-prepared microscope slide preferably has a supravital fluorescent stain applied thereon, which is overlaid with a transparent tape or film. During use, the film is peeled back to expose the stain so that a sample can be applied thereon for intermixture therewith. The film is then replaced over the stained sample to act as a cover slip for immediate viewing. Living cells and microorganisms are rendered dramatically visible and cellular dysmorphology can be readily ascertained. The time and cost associated with preparing a fixed and sectioned sample is completely avoided as well as the problem of artifacts and sample fragmentation found in fixed preparations. The slide can include reference standards to facilitate microscope focusing, and to allow measurements of cells and microorganisms.

Abstract: A computerized slide encoder for use with microscope analysis and pathological studies is provided. The slide encoder is attached to the movable microscope stage, whereby x-y direction plane movement and location, is correlated to examination of an identified slide, with information marking and location being directly correspondingly written, at pre-defined times, on computer storage media, during the examination. Subsequent use of the computer-stored information, coupled with the slide encoder, in a slide re-examination, permits independent retrieval of such information and location on the slide. The computer storage media includes digitized vocal transcription of history of the slide made during the original examination. An embodiment of the slide encoder includes a computer mouse pen affixed to the stage of the microscope and a rolling surface, for the mouse pen, being affixed to the movable slide holder.

Abstract: A process for imprinting viewing fields on a cover glass is disclosed. First, the cover glass is annealed. A grid is then placed on the annealed cover glass. The grid has small openings which define the viewing fields. The annealed cover glass with a grid thereon is then coated with a thin film of an inert metal which can adhere to glass. The thin film is applied by way of a high vacuum coating method or a sputtering method. The grid is then removed from the coated cover glass. The coated cover glass is particularly useful in the preparation of microscope slides of filters having asbestos fibers or the like deposited thereon. A portion of the filter, which is smaller than the cover glass, is cut. The cut portion of the filter is placed onto either the coated cover glass or the microscope slide to form a filter combination. The filter combination is then cleared with a clearing solution. The filter combination is then fixed to the microscope slide or cover glass by means of a fixative.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a slide is suitable for processing. A suite of suitability tests are performed by an automated microscope system. The tests include magnification error flags, staining flags, main optical density flags, including detected intermediate cell nuclei, rings around detected intermediate cell nuclei, average texture measure of detected intermediate cell nuclei, average contrast to detected intermediate cell nuclei to cytoplasm, standard deviation of detected intermediate cell nuclei optical densities, detected intermediate cell ratios, average stripe area, measure of a saturated magnification of the image, measure of a grossly saturated magnification, and the percentage of images focused properly on a first try, including images never focused properly. The automated microscope quantifies the measurements in a reliable and repeatable way.

Abstract: A method and device for the calibration of microscope slides for use in accurate and repeatable position location and relocation of specific areas of a specimen on the slide, particularly with use of computer correlated location of specimen events. Deviation from orthogonality of a specimen holder positioned on a stage (relative to movement of the microscope slide stage) is determined and compensated for by means of a rectangular calibration slide having a predetermined fixed length diagonal, and visual fixation sites at the ends of the diagonal, i.e., opposite corners of the slide, for the position marking of the corners and determination of the diagonal and its position. The calibration slide is placed on the microscope stage, against a fixed position portion of the slide holder.

Abstract: A computerized specimen encoder for use with microscope analysis and pathological studies. The slide encoder is attached to the movable microscope stage, whereby X-Y plane movement and location, is correlated to examination of a specimen on an identified slide, with information marking and location being directly correspondingly written on computer storage media, during the examination. The information marking is in the form of computer generated indicia which are placed at a computer image location of the slide at predetermined time intervals. Subsequent use of the computer-stored information, coupled with the slide encoder, in a slide re-examination, permits independent retrieval of such information and location on the slide. The encoder device is provided with a grayscale marker which marks in varying shades of gray, ranging from white to black, the time spent by a slide screener on a particular portion of the specimen and the number of times spent viewing a particular portion of the specimen.

Abstract: A computerized slide encoder for use with microscope analysis and pathological studies. The slide encoder is attached to the movable microscope stage, whereby x-y direction plane movement and location, is correlated to examination of an identified slide, with information marking and location being directly correspondingly written, at pre-defined times, on computer storage media, during the examination. Subsequent use of the computer-stored information, coupled with the slide encoder, in a slide re-examination, permits independent retrieval of such information and location on the slide. The computer storage media includes digitized vocal transcription of history of the slide made during the original examination. An embodiment of the slide encoder includes a computer mouse pen affixed to the stage of the microscope and a rolling surface, for the mouse pen, being affixed to the movable slide holder.

Abstract: The process and product are disclosed for mounting free-flowing particles, which employ a support having a support surface with an array of tacky areas which have a size and bonding strength suitable for adhesion of either one or two of said particles. In the process the particles flow across the support surface to allow particles to contact the tacky areas and adhere thereto. An array of mounted particles may thus be provided which has at least 50% singly or doubly mounted particles.

Abstract: A stage (1) for fixing at least one porous or non-porous medium (27) that carries one or more samples to be observed and to be analyzed by means of a microscope. The stage includes a hole (10) for receiving a plate (20; 28) for supporting the medium (27) and thus for observing the samples carried thereby. The stage is designed for pressing the medium (27) against the support plate (20; 28) by suction. The invention is applicable to the biological industry for rapid and indexed analysis under a microscope of filters and other media carrying multiple samples.

Abstract: A device is described for three-dimensional examination with a confocal beam path, in which an illumination grid (12; 22; 31; 83) is imaged in a focal plane (13f; 87), said plane being located on or in the vicinity of surface (14o) of object (14). The radiation reflected in the focal plane is imaged directly by a beam splitter onto the receiving surface of a CCD receiver (17; 91). The illumination grid (12; 22; 31; 83) is then imaged on the receiver surface either by the photosensitive areas of the receiver acting as confocal diaphragms or by signals from the detector elements which only receive light scattered outside focal plane (13f; 87) not being taken into account in the evaluation or being taken into account separately.The illumination grid size generated in focal plane (13f; 87) can be either fixed or variable. A variable illumination grid size can be produced for example by an LED array. The device also makes examinations in transmitted light possible.

Abstract: A transparent plastic slide for microscopic examination of fluids with at least one grid defined on the floor portion of the slide. The grid consisting of lines rising symmetrically from the floor portion of the slide with a line width of from about 0.05 to 0.005 mm. The lines defining enclosed areas, in which particles suspended in sample fluids can be counted. The sizes of enclosed areas being selected to be within the field of view for microscopic examination.

Abstract: A glass slide having a top surface and a bottom surface. The slide has at least one marking surface which has a first visual appearance when viewed from the top, and a second visual appearance when viewed from the bottom so as to allow the surface to be easily distinguished.

Abstract: A microscopic preparation marker includes a tape carrying a series of self-bonding marks which in use become preferentially bonded to the preparation. The device includes a spool with a supply of the marker-carrying substrate tape and another spool that drives the tape so that the tape leaves on the surface of the cover slide of the preparation, surrounding an area of interest that is to be later examined in more detail, a new mark each time the substrate tape is advanced and pressed against the cover glass. The device can be applied in scientific fields that use optical microscopes.