Abstract: A flow chamber for live-cell microscopic observation. The flow chamber includes a top portion having at least two perfusion tubes and a central aperture throughout. A pressure distribution/perfusion ring is adjacent to the top portion. An upper gasket engages and seals the pressure distribution/perfusion ring and the microaqueduct slide. The microaqueduct slide is placed between the upper gasket and the lower gasket. A cover slip is arranged intermediate the lower gasket, and a base. A flow chamber is formed between the cover slip, the microaqueduct slide, and the lower gasket. The flow chamber is in fluid communication with the at least two perfusion tubes in the top portion. The microaqueduct slide has perfusion grooves and micro-channels are formed through the microaqueduct slide and through the upper and lower gaskets. The base has a raised rim portion to receive the pressure distribution/perfusion ring in a non-rotational fit.

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 microscope system whereby microscopic specimens can be continuously and autonomously maintained in focus without sacrifice to the optimum resolution of the objective. The system achieves focus by splitting the image emerging from the objective lens into two pathways, a focus test pathway and an observational pathway. Each pathway contains an electronically indexed lens module. The focus test pathway lens module is continuously varied, resulting in focal variations in its projected image. The focus test pathway lens position is correlated with the focus camera image for optimum focus. The indexed value for the optimum focus, obtained from the focus test pathway, is then compared to the index value of the lens module in the observational pathway where immediate correction is applied if necessary. Therefore, time and three-dimensional information which would be lost with conventional focusing is acquired, processed, and utilized without negative effects to the observational path.

Abstract: A temperature controlled culture dish apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a culture dish assembly, a stage insert assembly, and a temperature controller. The culture dish assembly has a culture dish bottom which is manufactured from glass of high optical transmissivity coated with a transparent electrically conductive material. The biological specimen is grown directly on the culture dish bottom. The culture dish assembly is then placed into a recess in the stage insert assembly for microscopic examination. The biological specimen is not disrupted or transferred from the culture dish in which it was grown for purposes of examination. Power wires on the floor of the recess in the stage insert assembly contact bus bars on the transparent electrically conductive coating material. A thermistor on the floor of the recess in the stage insert assembly contacts the bottom of the culture dish bottom.

Abstract: A securing and locking assembly for live cell chambers includes a ring shaped unit received in a circular shaped chamber base to be secured with an upper circular shaped chamber frame unit. The ring unit is rotatable over a limited arcuate distance, and includes four L-shaped fingers space 90.degree. apart and arranged to be received outside four 90.degree. spaced radially extending peripheral recesses formed in the upper chamber unit. Upon rotation of the ring unit a predetermined arcuate distance the fingers are positioned outside the recesses of the upper chamber frame unit and upon continuing rotation of yet another predetermined arcuate distance the upper portions of the fingers engage upper portions of the chamber frame unit to uniformly secure and lock the chamber base and upper chamber unit together. Rotating the ring unit in the opposite direction will result in the unlocking of the chamber base and the upper chamber unit from each other.

Abstract: A heater assembly for microscope objectives is disclosed. The assembly includes a loop-shaped flexible heating element sized and constructed to surround and operatively engage microscope objectives of different sizes. The heating element is fixed to a rigid housing. A thermistor is fixed in one end section of a slidable, tubular member arranged with the housing to translate towards and away and into and out of engagement of the thermistor with microscope objectives. Electrical conducting wiring connects the heating element and thermistor with a controllable heat energy for regulating the heat energy source to the microscope objective. The housing also supports a lock screw for securing the tubular member with the housing.

Abstract: A live cell chamber apparatus (10) comprising a chamber frame unit (11) an upper seal unit (12) a cover slip unit (13) a lower seal unit (14) and a slide unit (15) wherein a fluid infusion chamber (101) is formed between the cover slip unit (13) the lower seal unit (14) and the slide unit (15) wherein the infusion chamber is in fluid communication with fluid ports (19) formed in the chamber frame unit (11).