Abstract: A computerized method of artifact regulation in deep model training for image transformation first performs one cycle of deep model training by computing means using a training data, a validation data, a similarity loss function, an artifact regulation loss function and a weight of loss functions to generate similarity loss and artifact regulation loss and a deep model. The method then performs a training evaluation using the similarity loss and the artifact regulation loss thus obtained to generate a training readiness output. Then, depending upon the training readiness output, the method may be terminated if certain termination criteria are met, or may perform another cycle of deep model training and training evaluation, with or without updating the weight, until the termination criteria are met. Alternatively, the deep model training in the method may be a deep adversarial model training or a bi-directional deep adversarial training.

Abstract: A scanning optical system is provided including a source of optical radiation; an optical scanning beam delivery system for delivering optical radiation to a subject, wherein the optical scanning beam delivery system includes a plurality of optical elements including at least one steerable mirror; at least one actuator coupled to the at least one steerable mirror; a detection system for detecting optical radiation returned from a subject; a communications device including a user interface and configured to process a set of instructions at least partially responsive to inputs from the user interface; a controller comprising memory, a microcontroller and an field programmable gate array (FPGA), the microcontroller and FPGA receiving instructions derived from the communications device; and at least one actuator coupled to the at least one steerable mirror.

Abstract: A new arrangement for the revolving stage of a polarizing microscope is presented. A stage well adapted to be removably fitted into and attached to the center of a revolving stage is provided with a housing, an inner sleeve adapted to fit within the housing and to move vertically within the housing, and a sample platform. In a preferred embodiment, the inner sleeve also moves rotationally. The stage well extends below the upper surface of the revolving stage with sufficient clearance to avoid interference with condenser and/or other components present below the revolving stage. Also presented is a microscope stage assembly comprising a revolving stage and a stage well attached to a center opening in the microscope revolving stage.

Abstract: A microscopy laboratory system for efficient instruction is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of student microscopes each equipped with a camera for generating an image signal representing a student view image of at least a portion of the field of view of the student microscope, multiplexed control means connected by video cables or wireless technology to the cameras to provide a composite instruction image signal based on student view images from one or more selected microscopes, and a projection unit or other public display for presenting the instruction image to the students in the laboratory. An instructor microscope can also be coupled into the system, and a display image marker is preferably linked to the multiplexed control means for inserting instructor annotations into the displayed instruction image.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically turning off a source of illumination in a microscope, comprising a switch operatively arranged to control the illumination source, and means for sensing inactivity of the switch and for turning off the illumination source after a predetermined time period of inactivity. The invention also includes a method for automatically turning off a source of illumination in a microscope, comprising the steps of monitoring activity of a switch operatively arranged to control the illumination source, and, turning off the illumination source after a predetermined time period of inactivity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a microscope having an infinity-corrected objective and providing a flat field of view.

Abstract: A microscope stage includes a contrasting stage insert for providing contrast between a microscope stage and a specimen. The microscope stage insert has a color that is different from the color of the specimen. In a preferred embodiment, an upper stage includes a first color and a recess operatively arranged for receiving a removable complementary shaped contrasting stage insert therein. The contrasting stage insert has a second color that is different from the color of the upper stage, and more preferably, the specimen. The contrasting stage insert is configured for removable complementarily receipt in the recess.

Abstract: A microscopy laboratory system for efficient instruction is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of student microscopes each equipped with a camera for generating an image signal representing a student view image of at least a portion of the field of view of the student microscope, multiplexed control means connected by video cables or wireless technology to the cameras to provide a composite instruction image signal based on student view images from one or more selected microscopes, and a projection unit or other public display for presenting the instruction image to the students in the laboratory. An instructor microscope can also be coupled into the system, and a display image marker is preferably linked to the multiplexed control means for inserting instructor annotations into the displayed instruction image.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a microscope stage assembly including a bidirectional, ergonomic stage movement means operatively arranged to be detachably secured to the microscope stage assembly. A microscope stage movement means including at least one substantially circular stick with an attachment end and a gripping end wherein said attachment end is operatively arranged to be detachably secured to a microscope stage assembly. An interchangeable microscope stage movement device for providing X and Y movement of a sample which includes a microscope stage assembly and a joystick detachably secured to the stage assembly at more than one location of the stage assembly.

Abstract: An arrangement of lenses for a 100×, oil immersion microscope objective is presented. The new configuration gives a flat field of view with diffraction limited performance over all the field. The new optical arrangement broadly includes eight lens elements including a positive power seventh lens element with the radius of curvature of the surface proximate to the object plane less than or approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the surface distal to the object plane, with the optical arrangement arrayed such that the distance from the first lens element to the second lens element is sufficient to reduce a ray height of a light ray and, in addition, arrayed such that the distance from the fifth lens element to the sixth lens element is sufficient to increase the ray height of the light ray entering the sixth lens element from the ray height of the light ray entering the first lens element.

Abstract: An arrangement of lenses for a 100×, oil immersion microscope objective is presented. The new configuration gives a flat field of view with diffraction limited performance over all the field. The new optical arrangement broadly includes eight lens elements including a positive power seventh lens element with the radius of curvature of the surface proximate to the object plane less than or approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the surface distal to the object plane, with the optical arrangement arrayed such that the distance from the first lens element to the second lens element is sufficient to reduce a ray height of a light ray and, in addition, arrayed such that the distance from the fifth lens element to the sixth lens element is sufficient to increase the ray height of the light ray entering the sixth lens element from the ray height of the light ray entering the first lens element.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a device, such as a slider, for performing phase contrast microscopy, the device containing a plurality of at least three phase contrast annuli. The slider is received into a microscope condenser mounted under a microscope stage and that is adapted to receive the device and align the device such that a phase contrast annulus is aligned with an appropriate microscope objective phase ring. The invention also comprises printed or engraved indicators or other markings indicating whether the bright field aperture or a particular phase contrast annulus is in position in the illumination path of the microscope. The invention further comprises a device for preventing the removal of the device from the condenser.

Abstract: A microscope having a base mounted illuminator, an optical element holder operatively arranged to hold an optical element within a beam path of the microscope, and, means for magnetically securing the optical element holder to the illuminator. The optical element holder of the invention includes a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, the housing having an aperture operatively arranged to hold an optical element, such as a filter or the like, and, at least one magnet attached to, and extending from the bottom surface of the housing, the magnet operatively arranged to be attracted to a portion of the base-mounted illuminator. A magnetic optical element holder and optical element for a microscope in combination, having an annularly shaped housing having a flanged aperture therein, the housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, the optical element operatively arranged to be held within the flanged aperture, and, at least one magnet attached to the bottom surface of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a device, such as a slider, for performing phase contrast microscopy, the device containing a plurality of at least three phase contrast annuli. The slider is received into a microscope condenser mounted under a microscope stage and that is adapted to receive the device and align the device such that a phase contrast annulus is aligned with an appropriate microscope objective phase ring. The invention also comprises printed or engraved indicators or other markings indicating whether the bright field aperture or a particular phase contrast annulus is in position in the illumination path of the microscope. The invention further comprises a device for preventing the removal of the device from the condenser.

Abstract: This invention relates to a microscope having an infinity-corrected objective and providing a flat field of view.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing optical measurements comprising a first prism having a first sample surface, the first sample surface operatively arranged to receive a first sample, the first sample surface operatively arranged to reflect incident light, a first detector operatively arranged to measure intensity of light reflected from the first sample surface of said first prism, a second prism having a second sample surface, the second sample surface operatively arranged to receive a second sample, the second sample surface operatively arranged to reflect incident light, a second detector operatively arranged to measure intensity of light reflected from the second sample surface of the second prism, and, means to determine an optical characteristic based on the intensities of light measured by said first and the second detectors. The invention also includes a method for performing optical measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus for gradually supplying power to a source of illumination in a microscope, including a power transistor operatively arranged to provide a varying applied voltage to the source of illumination, and, means for biasing the power transistor with a pulse width modulated signal to incrementally increase the applied voltage to the source of illumination in a plurality of discrete steps. The invention also includes a method for gradually supplying power to a source of illumination in a microscope by biasing a power transistor with a pulse width modulated signal to incrementally increase the applied voltage to the source of illumination in a plurality of discrete steps.

Abstract: A microscope having a base mounted illuminator, an optical element holder operatively arranged to hold an optical element within a beam path of the microscope, and, means for magnetically securing the optical element holder to the illuminator. The optical element holder of the invention includes a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, the housing having an aperture operatively arranged to hold an optical element, such as a filter or the like, and, at least one magnet attached to, and extending from the bottom surface of the housing, the magnet operatively arranged to be attracted to a portion of the base-mounted illuminator. A magnetic optical element holder and optical element for a microscope in combination, having an annularly shaped housing having a flanged aperture therein, the housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, the optical element operatively arranged to be held within the flanged aperture, and, at least one magnet attached to the bottom surface of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing optical measurements comprising a light source operatively arranged to emit light along a beam path, a prism, a sensor chip mounted to a sample surface of the prism, and a detector operatively arranged to measure intensity of light reflected from the intermittent members of the metallic film. The sensor chip has a metallic film with a plurality of intermittent members, a first sample reservoir, and a second sample reservoir. The first and second reservoirs are operatively arranged to hold and position a sample on at least one member of a plurality of intermittent members of the metallic film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a characteristic of a substance is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a light source, a prism, a sensor chip located on the prism, focusing optics located between the light source and the prism, a detector, collimating optics located between the prism and the detector, and calculation means for determining the characteristic of the substance. The sensor chip comprises a metallic film and a transparent substance. The metallic film is operatively arranged to reflect light from the light source. The transparent substance comprises a material having an index of refraction matched to an index of refraction of the prism. The sensor chip is operatively arranged to receive a sample of the substance.