Abstract: A partially or fully automated microscope includes one or more configurable subassembly Each subassembly has at least one element. The element can be configured in various positions. A computer, associated with the microscope and having an input device and display, also includes a database configured to store configurations of the element for the subassembly.

Abstract: A microscope is disclosed wherein at least a surface portion of a microscope, for example, the stand, the stage, the eyepiece or the several operating elements, is provided with an antimicrobial outer surface.

Abstract: A method for combining a first and a second ray bundle includes forming a first partial beam and a second partial beam by the first ray bundle interacting with a first beam-splitter layer, and forming a third partial beam and a fourth partial beam by the second ray bundle interacting with the first beam-splitter layer. The first, second, third and fourth partial beams are superimposed into an outgoing ray bundle by the first, second, third and fourth partial beams interacting with a second beam-splitter layer so that, in the outgoing ray bundle, the number of occurring reflections and transmissions of the first and second partial beams are basically the same as the number of occurring reflections and transmissions of the third and fourth partial beams.

Abstract: A carrier device for a biological preparation cuttable by laser microdissection includes a frame-like holder having the substantial form of a petri dish with an open bottom, and a laser light-absorbing film located on the frame-like holder so as to cover the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of the present invention positions an optical component among several optical components, which are arranged in a receiving device. The receiving device is rotatable about an axis or movable along a direction in such a way that an optical component is positionable and the receiving device is retainable in a retention position. A coding device having first and second coders and two detectors are also provided. Either the coding device or the two detectors are associated with the receiving device and the two detectors detect the first and second coders at spatially different points. The coding device is embodied in such a way that the two detectors detect the first coder simultaneously when the receiving device is in a retention position and no more than one detector detects the second coder when the receiving device is in a region between two adjacent retention positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser microdissection device comprised of a microscope table (1), which supports a specimen (3) to be dissected, of an incident lighting device (7), a laser light source (5) and of an objective (10) for focussing the laser beam (18) of the laser light source (5) onto the specimen (3). According to the invention, the microscope table (1) is not moved during the dissecting process. A laser scanning device (9) is arranged in the incident lighting device (7), is comprised of two thick glass wedge plates (11a, 11b), which are tilted toward the optical axis (8) and can be rotated independently of one another around said optical axis (8). In addition to the beam deviation caused by the wedge angle of the wedge plates (11a, 11b), a beam offset of the laser beam (18) is produced by the thickness and the tilt of the wedge plates (11a, 11b).

Abstract: An operating knob (20) for an optical system (100) is disclosed. The operating knob (20) has a first and a second coaxially arranged rotating element (21, 22). The first and the second rotating element (21, 22) have at least partly conical form. The first rotating element (21) has at the side directly opposing the second rotating element (22) a larger diameter than the second rotating element (22) and a step is formed at the side of the second rotating element (22) directly opposing the first rotating element (21), wherein the step possesses a diameter which is approximately the diameter of the first rotating element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for regulating the brightness of a light source (2), configured as an incandescent lamp, in the illumination beam path (8) of a microscope (1), the brightness of the light source (2) being modifiable by increasing or reducing the electrical power delivered to the light source (2), are characterized in that a red shift, associated with the reduction in the delivered electrical power, of the spectrum of the light emitted by the light source (2) in the illumination beam path (8) is compensated for by way of a variable optical filter (16) that brings about a blue shift of the spectrum. A color-neutral regulation of the brightness of the illuminating light is thereby achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope, whose support consists of a principal transverse section, a foot section and a column section, which are essentially the same width. A supporting element, is provided on both sides of the column section, said element having the same width along its first contact surface as the column section.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a microscope and an illumination device for a microscope that ensure optimal illumination in the standard (10×–100×), scanning (1.6×–5×), and macro (1×–1.6×) ranges. The illumination system comprises only one condenser head that can be switched in or out and that can optimally illuminate the entire range from 1× to 100×, and a movably arranged focusing lens that ensures optimal adaptation of the illumination to the entrance pupil for all ranges.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for adjusting components of an optical system, the components including an adjustment device. An electric positioning motor can be engaged onto the adjustment device of the components. An electrical generator is electrically connected to the positioning motor. The generator can be manually operated using an operating element, thereby effecting an adjustment of the component.

Abstract: The method for coding live images in microscopy makes possible the recording of a first complete image (251) that depicts a portion of a microscopic preparation (14a). A first coded complete image (200) is generated therefrom and is stored in a buffer memory (27). The first coded complete image (251) can moreover be output, for example, on a monitor. When a second complete image (252) is recorded, only a part is processed and transmitted. That part corresponds to the offset of an X-Y stage (12). The coordinates of the portion of the second complete image (252), and further control data, are transferred to a control data decoder (26). A correspondingly assembled and coded complete image (210) is generated in an image assembler (32), the at least one coded partial image (220) and the preceding coded complete image located in the buffer memory (27) being used.

Abstract: The invention discloses a microscope (1) whose stand (2) comprises a transverse main section (3), a stand column section, and a stand base section (5). The stand (2) receives an element (25) that is rotatable about an axis and carries several optical elements (26). A flap (8) through which the rotatable element (25) is accessible is provided on the stand. The flap (8) coacts with a preloaded bolt element (28) in such a way that when the flap (8) is open, the bolt element (28) locks the rotatable element (25).

Abstract: An iris diaphragm device for a microscope includes an iris diaphragm having a stationary mount ring, a rotatable adjusting ring, and a plurality of blades. The plurality of blades form a diaphragm opening, which is steplessly adjustable, by rotation of the adjusting ring, between a maximum and a minimum opening size. A coupling linkage is connected to the adjusting ring and includes two levers. An actuation element drives the coupling linkage. A closure element is arranged on one of the levers in a way such that after a predefined size of the diaphragm opening has been established, a further actuation of the actuation element causes the closure element to pivot and cover the diaphragm opening.

Abstract: The automated microscope system (30) comprises a box in which at least one control and power supply unit (34) is installed. The box is arranged physically separately from the microscope stand (32) and is connected to the microscope stand (32) with a cable (38). In one exemplary embodiment, a computer unit (36) is connected to the box that contains at least one control and power supply unit (34).

Abstract: A microscope includes a microscope arm having an interior and an exterior surface. The interior surface has at least one recessed portion disposed therein extending from the interior surface of the microscope arm to an inner recess surface of the microscope arm. The recessed portion forms a surface for gripping the microscope. A portion of the recessed portion is, preferably, disposed above the stage and below the objective turret of the microscope. The recessed portion may comprise a textured surface for increasing the static coefficient of friction thereof.

Abstract: A lamp assembly for a microscope, the microscope having a stand, comprising a female member comprising a first electrical socket, the socket arranged to provide a source of electricity for a lamp, the female receptacle located inside the microscope stand, and, a male member comprising at least two electrical pin terminals arranged to matingly engage the first electrical socket to receive electricity therefrom, and, a second socket electrically connected to the at least two electrical pin terminals, the second socket arranged to hold the lamp and provide electricity thereto.