Abstract: An improved objective for a microscope, particularly clinical specular microscopes for the observation of cornea endothelium cells, comprises a housing having first and second tubular lens holders slidably disposed therein. The second tubular lens holder is slidably and telescopically disposed within the first tubular lens holder. The lens holders are spring loaded which allows them to recede under tension into the housing when the object being viewed presses against the exterior of the first lens holder. This helps to protect the subject when viewing the cornea endothelium in vivo. The holders return to their original position upon removal of the object. A focusing mechanism is provided which incrementally moves the second tubular lens holder, thereby focusing the objective lenses contained therein, no matter what the position of the first lens holder is, thereby facilitating examination of the cornea.

Abstract: An objective, for use with an optical instrument such as a microscope, includes a housing formed of two generally tubular shaped members, one of which is coaxially and slidably mounted within the other. The objective also includes a rotatable member supported on the side of the outer of the two tubular members. An eccentric provided on the end of the rotatable member cooperates wih a surface of a slot formed on the side of the inner of the two tubular members. By rotating the eccentric, the inner tubular member is coaxially moved relative to the outer tubular member to thereby provide an easy and extremely accurate method of parfocalizing the objective. A locking mechanism is also provided to insure that the parfocality of the objective is not disrupted once it has been set.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a microscope objective and aligning the optical axis of such an objective with the optical axis of the microscope. The apparatus includes a rotatable plural objective nosepiece shell provided with a plurality of through openings. All but one of these openings receives an objective supporting and aligning cell which, in turn, supports the individual microscope objectives. Each cell and the corresponding through opening provided in the nosepiece shell are provided with cooperating surfaces which, in conjunction with a locking ring and a washer formed, preferably, of material exhibiting cold flow characteristics, axially position such cell relative to the nosepiece shell. The washer formed of material exhibiting cold flow characteristics is supported between the locking ring and a flange surface provided on the through opening to prevent shifting of the cell in the axial direction.