Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable instrument base suitable for holding optical instruments, comprising a base plate movable along first and second horizontal coordinate directions; a housing member surrounding the base plate and being movable with respect to the base plate in the first coordinate direction; first and second mechanisms mounted on the housing member for effecting displacement of the base plate in the first and second coordinate directions, respectively; a generally U-shaped stirrup member mounted on the base plate for rotation; a support plate mounted on the stirrup member for rotation about a horizontal axis; a first and preferably second instrument carriers displaceably mounted on the support plate; and a mechanism mounted on said base plate for effecting vertical displacement of the first instrument carrier.

Abstract: An illuminating device for providing a light beam having a substantially uniform cross-sectional flux comprising a light source, an optical conductor, the optical conducting having an inlet and an outlet surface and a curved body portion therebetween, the curved body portion forming at least substantially a portion of a circular ring, optical means for directing light from the light source to the inlet surface of the optical conductor, and means affecting the flux of light arranged transversely and displaceable to the path of the light beam between the light source and the inlet side of the optical conductor whereby the optical conductor provides the uniform flux at the outlet surface.

Abstract: An optical system for the reflecting microscopic examination of objects. An illuminating beam path and an observation beam path are provided along with an optical lens such that the beam paths pass through the optical lens and make an angle with each other. The lens is made up of two portions interfacing in a plane which bisects the angle of the beam paths and is perpendicular to a plane containing the beam paths. The interface between the lens portions is at least partially opaque and serves to absorb or reflect light reflected from the lens/object interface and thereby prevents such light from obscuring light reflected from surfaces interior to the object. The optical system is particularly advantageous for the examination of biological tissue such as the endothelium layer of the cornea of the eye.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microscope adapted for accepting one or more attachment illuminating devices, which have different dimensions and are designed to be supplied with electric power either from a source within the microscope or external to the microscope. The microscope comprises a microscope stand comprising a base and a vertical support member; at least one source of electrical energy located inside of the stand for powering an illuminating device; and first means, associated with the stand, for connecting any of a variety of attachment illuminating devices which have different dimensions and are designed to be supplied with electric power either from the electrical energy source or from an electrical energy source external to the microscope.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brightness control device for use with fiber optical lamps, comprising a diaphragm which is arranged unilaterally in the light beam between the lamp light source and the light entrance area of the fiber optical conductor. The diaphragm comprises a variable size diaphragm which is designed such that the cross-section of the light entrance area of the fiber optical conductor is asymmetrically and unilaterally reduced in order to maintain a constant lamp color temperature and emission characteristic.