Abstract: An optical system and method for illuminating an object under investigation with filtered light is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a linear filter array having a plurality of elongate variable bandpass filters. The variable bandpass filters each have a cam follower and are translatable along a longitudinal axis, whereby translation brings a selected filter in line with a beam of light. The cam follower of selected filter engages a cam adjacent to the array. This causes tilting of the filter to a desired angle thereby allowing precise selection of the bandpass frequency of the selected filter. Preferably, the filter can be tilted by an angle of up to 60°. Each elongate filter is preferably substantially rectangular and has a long dimension that is at least about twice the short dimension.

Abstract: An optical system and method for illuminating an object under investigation with filtered light is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a linear filter array having a plurality of elongate variable bandpass filters. The variable bandpass filters each have a cam follower and are translatable along a longitudinal axis, whereby translation brings a selected filter in line with a beam of light. The cam follower of selected filter engages a cam adjacent to the array. This causes tilting of the filter to a desired angle thereby allowing precise selection of the bandpass frequency of the selected filter. Preferably, the filter can be tilted by an angle of up to 60°. Each elongate filter is preferably substantially rectangular and has a long dimension that is at least about twice the short dimension.

Abstract: A semi-automated method of replacing micropipettes using a micromanipulator is disclosed. A first micropipette is moved at a known angle from a work position to a distal position under automatic control of the micromanipulator. A replacement micropipette is then mounted in the micromanipulator and is moved under automatic control to a position proximate to the work position. The distance between the work position and the proximate position is substantially equal to the range of manufacturing variability of the micropipettes. The second micropipette is then moved by manual control of the micromanipulator from the proximate position to the work position by moving it in a linear path along the known angle so that the final approach to the work position can be visually monitored.