Abstract: A compact laser-scanning microscope that allows in-vivo observation, particularly of cells, with wavelengths ranging from the visible to the infra-red, can be provided. The laser-scanning microscope includes a laser light source unit, an optical fiber, a collimator optical system, an optical scanning unit, a pupil projection optical system, an objective optical system, and a detection optical system that detects fluorescence or reflected light from the specimen, via the objective optical system, the pupil projection optical system, the optical scanning unit, the collimator optical system and the optical fiber. The objective optical system can be attached to and detached from the pupil projection optical system near the intermediate image position.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope using a wavefront converting element suffers minimum off-axis performance degradation and allows the wavefront converting element to be controlled by a simple method. Further, a pupil relay optical system is simple in arrangement or unnecessary. A laser scanning microscope includes a laser oscillator and a wavefront converting element for applying a desired wavefront conversion to a laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator. An objective collects a wavefront-converted approximately parallel laser beam emerging from the wavefront converting element onto a sample. A detector detects signal light emitted from the sample. An actuator scans the objective along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: An easily viewable examination image in which blurring occurring in an image is reduced without operating an examination optical system in real time matching the motion of a specimen is obtained. There is provided an examination method comprising, prior to examining an examination site of a specimen, acquiring an image of the specimen surface of an examination region including the examination site, over a predetermined time range; extracting a plurality of feature points by processing the acquired image of the specimen surface; calculating a motion trajectory for each of the extracted feature points over the time range; and disposing an optical axis of an examination optical system at a position where the motion trajectory of a feature point disposed in the examination site is minimized.

Abstract: The invention aims to make it unnecessary to reposition an objective lens when repeatedly carrying out examinations. It is possible to carry out in vivo examination of tissue such as cells and muscle tissue or various internal organs, such as the heart, liver, and so forth, of mammals, especially small experimental animals, over a comparatively long period of time. A microscope system having an objective optical system unit and a structure or member for fixing the objective optical system unit to a living body is provided.

Abstract: The present invention reduces or removes the need to clean an objective lens, thus simplifying the observation procedure, prevents bacteria or contamination from adhering to the objective lens, and protects the objective lens from external force that would be exerted during cleaning. The invention includes an optically transparent covering configured to cover at least an end surface of an objective lens; and an attaching mechanism configured to attach the covering to the objective lens.

Abstract: The present invention makes an objective lens easier to handle during disinfection or sterilization and protects the objective lens during, for example, transport, storage, or handling. The present invention provides an objective-lens protector including a substantially ring-shaped mounting portion surrounding a circumference of an objective lens, the mounting portion detachably mounted on the objective lens such that a threaded mount formed on the objective lens for mounting the objective lens to a microscope main body is exposed; a protecting member fixed to the mounting portion, extending substantially along the entire length of the objective lens mounted on the mounting portion, and arranged at a distance outwardly in a radial direction of the objective lens so as to surround the objective lens; and a locking mechanism provided on the mounting portion to prevent the objective lens from moving relative to the mounting portion in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: The invention protects a front end of an objective lens from extreme external force in a non-operating state. There is provided an objective lens protector mounted on an objective lens or a microscope main body having the objective lens mounted thereon. The objective lens protector includes a covering member movable between a protecting position where a front end of the objective lens is covered in a non-operating state and an operating position where the front end of the objective lens is exposed in an operating state.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope using a wavefront converting element suffers minimum off-axis performance degradation and allows the wavefront converting element to be controlled by a simple method. Further, a pupil relay optical system is simple in arrangement or unnecessary. A laser scanning microscope includes a laser oscillator 6 and a wavefront converting element 5 for applying a desired wavefront conversion to a laser beam 15 emitted from the laser oscillator 6. An objective 7 collects a wavefront-converted approximately parallel laser beam 17 emerging from the wavefront converting element 5 onto a sample 9. A detector 29 detects signal light emitted from the sample 9. An actuator 8 scans the objective 7 along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope using a wavefront converting element suffers minimum off-axis performance degradation and allows the wavefront converting element to be controlled by a simple method. Further, a pupil relay optical system is simple in arrangement or unnecessary. A laser scanning microscope includes a laser oscillator and a wavefront converting element for applying a desired wavefront conversion to a laserbeam emitted from the laser oscillator. An objective collects a wavefront-converted approximately parallel laser beam emerging from the wavefront converting element onto a sample. A detector detects signal light emitted from the sample. An actuator scans the objective along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: An easily viewable examination image in which blurring occurring in an image is reduced without operating an examination optical system in real time matching the motion of a specimen is obtained. There is provided an examination method comprising, prior to examining an examination site of a specimen, acquiring an image of the specimen surface of an examination region including the examination site, over a predetermined time range; extracting a plurality of feature points by processing the acquired image of the specimen surface; calculating a motion trajectory for each of the extracted feature points over the time range; and disposing an optical axis of an examination optical system at a position where the motion trajectory of a feature point disposed in the examination site is minimized.

Abstract: A compact laser-scanning microscope that allows in-vivo observation, particularly of cells, with wavelengths ranging from the visible to the infra-red, can be provided. The laser-scanning microscope includes a laser light source unit, an optical fiber, a collimator optical system, an optical scanning unit, a pupil projection optical system, an objective optical system, and a detection optical system that detects fluorescence or reflected light from the specimen, via the objective optical system, the pupil projection optical system, the optical scanning unit, the collimator optical system and the optical fiber. The objective optical system can be attached to and detached from the pupil projection optical system near the intermediate image position.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a light source and an objective unit. The objective unit includes an objective optical system, including a small-diameter distal optical system arranged at an end brought near to or into contact with a specimen, for focusing light from the light source onto the specimen; a threaded mount at a coupling position; and an outer cylinder enclosing the small-diameter distal optical system. The microscope system further includes an imaging optical system for forming an image of light from the specimen through the objective optical system and a microscope main body for housing the imaging optical system. The objective unit is detachable from and attachable to the microscope main body with the threaded mount. Conditional expression Df/Da?0.3 is satisfied, where Df represents the outer diameter of the outer cylinder and Da represents the outer diameter of the threaded mount.

Abstract: The invention aims to make it unnecessary to reposition an objective lens when repeatedly carrying out examinations. It is possible to carry out in vivo examination of tissue such as cells and muscle tissue or various internal organs, such as the heart, liver, and so forth, of mammals, especially small experimental animals, over a comparatively long period of time. A microscope system having an objective optical system unit and a structure or member for fixing the objective optical system unit to a living body is provided.

Abstract: In a microscopic observing apparatus, the optical axis of a probe microscope is placed between the two optical axes of a stereoscopic microscope. In another microscopic observing apparatus, the microscopic observing apparatus includes a guide mechanism that guides the probe microscope and the stereoscopic microscope, a connecting member that maintains a constant spacing between optical axes of the probe microscope and the stereoscopic microscope, a right stopper that restricts further movement of the stereoscopic microscope when the position of the optical axis of the stereoscopic microscope matches a center position on the guide rail; and a left stopper that restricts further movement of the probe microscope when the position of the optical axis of the probe microscope matches the center position.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope using a wavefront converting element suffers minimum off-axis performance degradation and allows the wavefront converting element to be controlled by a simple method. Further, a pupil relay optical system is simple in arrangement or unnecessary. A laser scanning microscope includes a laser oscillator 6 and a wavefront converting element 5 for applying a desired wavefront conversion to a laser beam 15 emitted from the laser oscillator 6. An objective 7 collects a wavefront-converted approximately parallel laser beam 17 emerging from the wavefront converting element 5 onto a sample 9. A detector 29 detects signal light emitted from the sample 9. An actuator 8 scans the objective 7 along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: Light rays emanating from an object are received by a first optical system, and converged to form intermediate images on a movable mirror to be driven to vibrate and at positions near the movable mirror. Light rays forming the intermediate images are converged to form a plurality of final images on the imaging surface of an imaging device by way of a second optical system. The resultant image data is added up and restored, whereby an image proving a large depth of field is produced and displayed on a monitor. Using this apparatus, even if an optical system suffering from a small depth of field is employed, an image providing a large depth of field can be produced.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope using a wavefront converting element suffers minimum off-axis performance degradation and allows the wavefront converting element to be controlled by a simple method. Further, a pupil relay optical system is simple in arrangement or unnecessary. A laser scanning microscope includes a laser oscillator 6 and a wavefront converting element 5 for applying a desired wavefront conversion to a laser beam 15 emitted from the laser oscillator 6. An objective 7 collects a wavefront-converted approximately parallel laser beam 17 emerging from the wavefront converting element 5 onto a sample 9. A detector 29 detects signal light emitted from the sample 9. An actuator 8 scans the objective 7 along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: An objective lens includes a first lens unit with positive refracting power and a second lens unit on the specimen side of the first lens unit. The first lens unit has at least one lens and the second lens unit has at least one optical element, satisfying the following conditions: v dLD > v dHD ⁢ - 0.56 ≦ φ II ⁢ / φ T ≦ 0.56 where &ngr;dLD is the Abbe's number of glass material of the lens, &ngr;dHD is the Abbe's number of glass material of the optical element, &phgr;II{circle around (1)} is the refracting power of a first surface of the second lens unit, and &phgr;T is the refracting power of the entire system of the objective lens.

Abstract: An objective lens includes a first lens unit with positive refracting power and a second lens unit on the specimen side of the first lens unit. The first lens unit has at least one lens and the second lens unit has at least one optical element, satisfying the following conditions: 1 v dLD > v dHD ⁢ - 0.56 ≦ φ II ⁢ / φ T ≦ 0.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope using a wavefront converting element suffers minimum off-axis performance degradation and allows the wavefront converting element to be controlled by a simple method. Further, a pupil relay optical system is simple in arrangement or unnecessary. A laser scanning microscope includes a laser oscillator 6 and a wavefront converting element 5 for applying a desired wavefront conversion to a laser beam 15 emitted from the laser oscillator 6. An objective 7 collects a wavefront-converted approximately parallel laser beam 17 emerging from the wavefront converting element 5 onto a sample 9. A detector 29 detects signal light emitted from the sample 9. An actuator 8 scans the objective 7 along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.