Abstract: An optical instrument includes an enclosure that includes a window and a port configured to receive light. The instrument includes an objective configured to be aligned with the window, and an optical module positioned within the enclosure. The optical module includes a dichroic mirror and first optical element(s) configured to direct light from the port to the dichroic mirror. The optical module includes second optical element(s) configured to direct light from the dichroic mirror, through the window, and into the objective, and configured to direct light from the window to the dichroic mirror. The instrument includes a plate having openings patterned for confocal microscopy. The plate is configured to be inserted into or removed from an area between the dichroic mirror and the second optical element(s). The optical instrument includes an image sensor and third optical element(s) configured to direct light from the dichroic mirror to the image sensor.

Abstract: An optical instrument includes an enclosure that includes a window and a port. The port is configured to receive a first light via an optical cable. The instrument includes a stage for sup-porting samples and an objective configured to be aligned with the window such that the first light exiting the enclosure through the window enters the objective and a second light from the objective enters the enclosure through the window. The instrument includes, within the enclosure, an optical module including a plate having openings patterned for spinning-disc confocal microscopy and an image sensor. The optical module is configured to illuminate the samples with the first light and capture images of second light from the samples. The optical instrument further includes a cable guide configured to facilitate movement of the optical cable within a first plane and within a second perpendicular plane that occurs in response to the enclosure moving.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided to facilitate epifluorescent imaging of three (or more) color channels and to perform phase contrast and/or bright field imaging of samples without manual adjustment of the imaging apparatus. This allows for automated imaging, over extended periods of time, of a plurality of samples by a device located inside an incubator without disturbing the incubator environment to manually adjust the apparatus. Also provided are embodiments to facilitate user swapping of removable optical modules and/or transillumination modules to allow the imaging apparatus to be adapted to different combinations of assays and/or fluorescent indicators so as to increase the variety of experiments and/or fluorescent dyes that can be imaged using the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided to facilitate epifluorescent imaging of three (or more) color channels and to perform phase contrast and/or bright field imaging of samples without manual adjustment of the imaging apparatus. This allows for automated imaging, over extended periods of time, of a plurality of samples by a device located inside an incubator without disturbing the incubator environment to manually adjust the apparatus. Also provided are embodiments to facilitate user swapping of removable optical modules and/or transillumination modules to allow the imaging apparatus to be adapted to different combinations of assays and/or fluorescent indicators so as to increase the variety of experiments and/or fluorescent dyes that can be imaged using the imaging apparatus.