Abstract: A portable confocal optical scanning microscopic device includes an optical path module, a light source module, a light receiving module and an object stage, wherein the optical path module includes a beam splitter and a focusing lens; the light source module includes a light generator for generating an incident light and can be injected into the beam splitter; the light receiving module includes a spatial filter; the object stage is for setting a test specimen. The optical path module, the light source module, the light receiving module, and the object stage can be disassembled and assembled on the operating board to flexibly configure an adaptive combination capable of performing the optical scanning.

Abstract: Two or more micropipettes are used to increase a microinjection throughput in an automated system for microinjecting adherent cells on a Petri dish. In the system, a motorized stage carrying the Petri dish sequentially visits the cells according to an optimized injection sequence. The sequence is selected by minimizing a total distance traveled by the motorized stage such that each cell is visited once by one of the micropipettes. Using multiple micropipettes advantageously reduces the minimized total distance over using a single micropipette to thereby increase the throughput. The optimized injection sequence is obtained by solving an equality-generalized traveling salesman problem. Each micropipette is mounted on a motorized micromanipulator. The motorized stage and motorized micromanipulators operate coordinately that each micromanipulator goes down or up during movement of the motorized stage to compensate for unevenness between a focus plane and a moving trajectory of the motorized stage.

Abstract: A confocal measuring apparatus serves for 3D measurement of an object surface. The measuring apparatus has a light source for measuring light, a lens array having a plurality of array lenses, a chromatic telescope, multiplexer optics, collimation optics and spatially resolved detection device. The chromatic telescope images an object plane into an arrangement plane of the lens array. The multiplexer optics is arranged at a distance of a total of a focal length of the array lenses on the one hand and a focal length of the multiplexer optics, downstream of the lens array. A single pinhole aperture is arranged at a distance of the focal length of the multiplexer optics. The collimation optics is arranged downstream of the pinhole aperture. A confocal measuring apparatus results, which has a simplified design and at the same time a high measurement throughput.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a microscope system, a smart medical device, an automatic focusing method, and a storage medium. The smart medical device includes an objective lens, a beam splitter, an image projector assembly, a camera assembly, and a focusing device. The objective lens includes a first end and a second end, and the first end faces a to-be-observed sample. The beam splitter is disposed on the second end. The image projector assembly is in communication with the beam splitter, the image projector assembly includes a first lens and an image projection device, and light generated by the image projector assembly enters the beam splitter through the first lens. The camera assembly includes a camera. The focusing device is disposed on the camera assembly, and the focusing device is configured to perform focus adjustment on the camera.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for modifying microscope images, a generative model is trained using a training dataset which comprises a plurality of microscope images. After the training, the generative model is configured to compute a generated microscope image from a feature vector derived from a feature space. It is established which image properties are affected by which feature variables in the feature space. A microscope image to be modified is received and projected into the feature space in order to obtain an associated feature vector. One or more feature variables of the feature vector are modified in order to change one or more image properties, whereby a modified feature vector is generated. The modified feature vector is projected back into an image space by inputting the modified feature vector into the generative model, thereby generating a modified microscope image.

Abstract: An observation carrier for a microscope is provided. The observation carrier includes a bottom base, an upper cover, and a chip. The upper cover is detachably disposed on the bottom base and has a window. The chip is integrated on the upper cover and includes a main body and a plurality of electrodes. The main body has an observation region, and the observation region corresponds to the window and is adapted to carry a sample material. The electrodes are disposed on the main body and are connected to the observation region.

Abstract: An auxiliary apparatus for testing the confocality of a scanning and descanning microscope component group has a connector configured for connecting the auxiliary apparatus in a defined relative position to the scanning and descanning microscope component group, and an optical axis running at a fixed orientation with respect to the connector. Further, the auxiliary apparatus has an auxiliary detector with a plurality of auxiliary detection apertures in a plurality of auxiliary detection aperture positions that are arranged at distances in direction of the optical axis and laterally with respect to the optical axis; and an auxiliary light source providing auxiliary light through a plurality of auxiliary emission apertures in a plurality of auxiliary emission aperture positions arranged at distances in direction of the optical axis and laterally with respect to the optical axis.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes an illumination optical system that illuminates a sample, an observation optical system that guides light from the sample, and an intensity modulator that is provided in a pupil of the observation optical system or a position optically conjugate with the pupil and reduces light incident on the intensity modulator. The light utilization rate distribution as an intensity transmittance distribution of the intensity modulator in the pupil or in an image of the pupil monotonously increases or monotonously decreases in a first direction. The light utilization rate distribution varies on both sides of a center of an optical axis.

Abstract: Provided is a lens assembly comprising at least two lenses aligned along a first optical axis; an image sensor configured to receive light guided or condensed through the at least two lenses; and at least one optical member disposed between the at least two lenses and the image sensor to receive light incident through the at least two lenses, and refract or reflect the light at least twice, to guide or emit the light to the image sensor, where a ratio of a longer side of an imaging surface of the image sensor to a longer side of an emission surface of a first optical member closest to the image sensor is within a specified range.

Abstract: A device may capture, using a camera associated with a microscope, a first image of interstitial material associated with a first set of optical fibers in a field of view of the camera. The device may perform a comparison of the first image of interstitial material and a second image of interstitial material associated with a second set of optical fibers. The device may determine that the first set of optical fibers does not include an expected set of optical fibers based on a result of performing the comparison. The device may determine an amount by which to adjust the field of view of the camera based on the result of performing the comparison. The device may perform one or more actions.

Abstract: A microscope and method of microscopy having a light source for providing illumination light, a controllable manipulation device for generating in a variable manner an illumination pattern of the illumination light to be selected, an illumination beam path with a microscope lens for guiding the illumination pattern to a sample to be examined, a detector having a plurality of pixels for examining the fluorescent light emitted by the sample, a detection beam path for guiding the fluorescent light emitted by the sample to the detector, a main beam splitter for splitting illumination light and fluorescent light, a control and evaluation unit for controlling the manipulation device and for evaluating the data measured by the detector. The manipulation device is arranged in the illumination beam path upstream from the main beam splitter such that the pixel of the detector can be individually activated using the control and evaluation unit and in read out patterns to be selected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging cells. Quantitative phase imaging uses variations in the index of refraction of a sample as a source of endogenous contrast, providing label-free information of sub-cellular structures and allowing for the reconstruction of valuable biophysical parameters, such as cell dry-mass at femtogram scales, mass transport, and sample thickness and fluctuations at nanometer scales. As a result, QPI has become a valuable tool in biology and medicine. However, QPI has suffered from the need for trans-illumination through relatively thin objects in order to gain access to the forward-scattered field, which carries crucial low spatial frequency information of a sample and avoid contributions from multiple scattered light or out-of-focus planes. The disclosed methods and systems can provide for reconstruction of QPI and corresponding analysis for imaging samples of cells in thick samples using an epi-illumination configuration.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for routing radio-frequency identification (RFID) location data from an RFID tag reader to a record-keeping unit. A first tagging entry is received from a first record-keeping unit. The information associated with the first tagging entry is stored in a data store. A first set of location data is received, indicating that the RFID tag of the first item has been read by an RFID tag reader. It is algorithmically determined that the received location data corresponds to the first tagging entry received from the first record-keeping unit. The first set of location data is communicated to the first record-keeping unit.

Abstract: A surgical medical imaging system includes a second image processing device that acquires a first surgical image signal being a surgical image signal subjected to first image processing, from a medical imaging device including an imaging device and a first image processing device performing the first image processing on the surgical image signal captured by the imaging device, and performs second image processing on the first surgical image signal; and a third image processing device that acquires the first surgical image signal and a second surgical image signal being a surgical image signal subjected to the second image processing, performs third image processing on at least one of the first surgical image signal and the second surgical image signal, and generates a display image signal by conversion processing based on the first and the second surgical image signals, in which the first, second, and third image processing are different.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope includes a light source configured to emit an illumination light beam. The illumination light beam has a transverse light intensity profile comprising an intensity minimum. The laser scanning microscope further includes a scanning device configured to scan the illumination light beam along a closed trajectory in a target area of a specimen, and a detector configured to detect fluorescence light emitted by a fluorophore within the target area of the specimen. The fluorophore is excited by the illumination light beam. The laser scanning microscope further includes a processor configured to determine an intensity distribution of the fluorescence light as a function of time and to determine a position of the fluorophore within the target area based on the intensity distribution of the fluorescence light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a defect inspection device. The defect inspection device may include a lighting system designed for transmitting a lighting pattern having different illuminances for each area on a surface of an inspection object; a photographing unit for obtaining an image data of the inspection object; one or more processors for processing the image data; and a memory for storing a deep learning-based model. In addition, the one or more processors are adapted to control, the lighting system to transmit a lighting pattern having a different illuminance for each area on a surface of an inspection object, input, an image data obtained by the photographing unit into the deep learning-based model, wherein the image data includes a rapid change of illuminance in at least a part of the object surface; and determine, a defect on a surface of the inspection object using the deep learning-based model.

Abstract: A confocal microscope unit according to an embodiment includes: a first subunit which includes a light source, a pinhole plate, and a photodetector; a second subunit which includes a light source, a pinhole plate, and a photodetector; a scan mirror which scans excitation light output from the first and second subunits on a sample via a microscope optical system and guides fluorescence generated from the sample in response to the excitation light and focused by the microscope optical system to the first and second subunits; and a main housing which is attachable to a connection port and to which the scan mirror, the first subunit, and the second subunit are fixed, wherein the first subunit and the second subunit are disposed in the main housing so that incident angles of two excitation lights to the scan mirror are displaced from each other by a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A laser transfer printing device and a laser transfer printing method are provided. The laser transfer printing device includes a laser, a beam expander, a beam splitter and a focusing module. The laser is configured to generate a laser beam. The beam expander is disposed on an optical path of the laser beam generated by the laser to expand the laser beam generated by the laser. The beam splitter is disposed on an optical path of the laser beam expanded by the beam expander to reflect the expanded laser beam to the focusing module. The focusing module is disposed on an optical path of the laser beam reflected by the beam splitter to focus the laser beam and project the focused laser beam to a predetermined transfer processing position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-color imaging using a microscope system. The microscope system can have a relatively small size as compared to an average microscope system. The microscope system can include various components configured to reduce or eliminate image artifacts such as chromatic aberrations and/or noise from stray light that can occur during multi-color imaging. The components can be configured to reduce or eliminate the image artifacts, and/or noise without substantially changing the size of the microscope system.

Abstract: A microscope system includes: a light source unit that emits linear illumination parallel to a first direction; an objective lens that condenses the linear illumination onto a measurement target region; an acquisition unit that acquires a first optical signal indicating a light intensity value of light emitted from the measurement target region by the linear illumination; and a focus control unit that controls at least one of a relative position or a relative posture of the light source unit and an imaging unit that generates the first optical signal on a basis of a light intensity distribution of the first optical signal.

Abstract: A white light interference microscope includes an imaging part taking interference images, a laser light source, a light receiving part receiving reflected light of laser beam from a sample via a confocal optical system and generating a light reception signal corresponding to the light receiving intensity of the reflected light, a focal calculation part calculating a focal position matching a focus of the objective lens with a surface of the sample based on the light reception signal at each height position of the stage or the objective lens, a focus adjustment part adjusting the height position of the stage or the objective lens to match with the focal position, and a first measuring part measuring the surface shape of the sample based on a plurality of interference images taken by the imaging part at a plurality of height positions defined within a height range including the focal position.

Abstract: A light microscope has a light source for illuminating a specimen, a photon-counting detector array with a plurality of photon-counting detector elements for measuring detection light coming from the specimen, wherein the photon-counting detector elements are configured to output respective measured photon count rates, and a control device for controlling the photon-counting detector array. The control device is configured to individually influence the measurable photon count rates which are simultaneously measurable with different photon-counting detector elements and/or which are consecutively measurable with the same photon-counting detector element. Furthermore, in an imaging method the measurable photon count rates of photon-counting detector elements are individually influenced to increase the signal-to-noise ratio for the photon-counting detector array.

Abstract: A background correction method for a fluorescence microscopy system includes receiving a raw image stack, determining a number of temporal minimum intensity values for each pixel location from the raw image stack, and calculating an expected background value for each pixel location based on the number of temporal minimum intensity values for the pixel location. Also, an emitter localization method includes receiving a raw image stack, determining a rough position of each of a plurality of emitters within the raw image stack by employing a linear deconvolution process, and determining a precise position of each of the plurality of emitters by employing the rough position of the emitter and gradient fitting.

Abstract: A microscope includes: an optical system including an immersion objective for an immersion medium of a predetermined refractive index; an aperture stop; and a processor for setting an immersion-free imaging mode in which the optical system is operated without immersion medium. The processor controls the aperture stop in the immersion-free imaging mode to set a numerical aperture of the immersion objective to a reduced value which is lower than a nominal value of the numerical aperture, the numerical aperture being equal to the nominal value when the optical system is operated using the immersion medium without reducing the numerical aperture by the aperture stop. The processor controls the optical system in accordance with the reduced value of the numerical aperture in the immersion-free imaging mode to generate at least one image representing the overview image of the sample.

Abstract: An augmented reality microscope (ARM) includes an objective lens, an eyepiece, an N-ocular observation tube, where N is a positive integer greater than 2, an image obtaining assembly physically connected to the N-ocular observation tube by a physical interface on the N-ocular observation tube, and an image projection assembly including, an image projection apparatus, a lens apparatus, and a light splitting apparatus. Light generated by an observed object during observation that enters an optical path through the objective lens and light generated by the image projection apparatus that enters the optical path through the lens apparatus converges at the light splitting apparatus in the image projection assembly, the converged light passes through the N-ocular observation tube.

Abstract: A microscope scanning apparatus is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder adapted to hold the sample when in use and to move relative to the detector array along a scan path. A controller is further provided to monitor the position of the sample holder relative to the detector array and to trigger image capture by the detector array in accordance with said monitored position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an OCT imaging system having a variety of advantages. In particular, the OCT system of the present disclosure may provide a more intuitive interface, more efficient usage of controls, and a greater ability to view OCT imaging data.

Abstract: An assembly for switching optical paths, which assembly includes multiple optical channels for guiding an illuminating light to a specimen and for guiding the light coming from the specimen to an image recording unit. The assembly also includes a plurality of light guiding mirrors and at least one light modifying element in each optical channel for directing the illuminating light and the light coming from the specimen. In each of the multiple optical channels the at least one light modifying element includes a stationary dichroic mirror. Further details regarding the arrangement and rotation of the mirrors, and how the mirrors direct the illuminating light and light coming from the specimen, are defined herein.

Abstract: An optical adapter for connecting between a beam splitter of a surgical microscope or an ophthalmic slit lamp microscope and a digital camera equipment including mobile phones, tablet computers, cameras, video cameras with image capturing function is provided. The optical adapter includes a lens group located on an optical path and an optical image rotating lens group for adjusting a direction of an optical image on a photosensitive unit of the digital camera equipment. The optical image rotating lens group is configured to be either independently rotatable around optical axis or be set fixedly. Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for real-time adjustment of the direction of an optical image on the photosensitive unit of a digital camera equipment, where regardless of the position of the digital camera a satisfactory direction of the optical image can be obtained with a simple user friendly and convenient structure.

Abstract: A Koehler integrator device includes a collimating lens for collimating a light field from an incoherent or partially coherent light source, planar first and second micro-lens arrays for relaying portions of the collimated light field along separate imaging channels, wherein all the micro-lenses have equal focal length and pitch and the arrays are arranged with a mutual distance equal to the focal length, and a collecting Fourier lens having a Fourier lens diameter and focal length defining front and back focal planes, wherein the Fourier lens is for superimposing light from all imaging channels in the front focal plane and wherein the second micro-lens array is in the back focal plane, wherein a third micro-lens array is in the front focal plane for creating a wavelength independent array of illumination spots. Furthermore, a confocal microscope apparatus, including the device, and a method of using the apparatus are described.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) subsystem including one or more machine learning models, automatically overlays an augmented reality image, e.g., a border or outline, that identifies cells of potential interest, in the field of view of the specimen as seen through the eyepiece of an LCM microscope. The operator does not have to manually identify the cells of interest for subsequent LCM, e.g, on a workstation monitor, as in the prior art. The operator is provided with a switch, operator interface tool or other mechanism to select the identification of the cells, that is, indicate approval of the identification of the cells, while they view the specimen through the eyepiece. Activation of the switch or other mechanism invokes laser excising and capture of the cells of interest via a known and conventional LCM subsystem.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to an imaging device. In some embodiments the imaging device has a support plate defining an object plane. A housing surrounds the object plane across the support plate. A first reflector plane is within the housing and in reflective communication with the object plane. The first reflector plane is 68.0° to 70.0° from the object plane. A second reflector plane within the housing and in reflective communication with the object plane. The second reflector plane is 68.0° to 70.0° from the object plane. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A device for dark-field optical inspection of a substrate comprises: a light source for generating an incident beam that is projected onto an inspection zone of the substrate and that is capable of being reflected in the form of diffuse radiation; at least one first and one second collecting device; and a reflecting device for directing at least a portion of the diffuse radiation originating from a focal point of collection coincident with the inspection zone in the direction of the collecting devices, with a first and second reflective zone from which a first portion of the diffuse radiation is directed toward a first focal point, which is optically conjugated with the focal point of collection, and a second portion of the diffuse radiation is reflected toward a second focal point, which is optically conjugated with the collection focal point and distinct from the first focal point of detection.

Abstract: A light microscope having a scanner for scanning a sample with illuminating light and a light detector for measuring sample light. A microlens array having a plurality of microlenses is arranged in front of the light detector in the region of a pupil plane. The light detector respectively has a plurality of detector elements behind each microlens and has a complete readout frequency of at least 100 kHz. By means of the detector elements arranged behind the respective microlens, a wavefront datum regarding the sample light is determined. Moreover, a sample point signal is computed from signals of the detector elements. Illuminating light is successively deflected onto different sample points with the scanner and corresponding sample point signals are captured, wherein, for at least some of the different sample points, a corresponding wavefront datum is also determined. The determined wavefront data can be taken into account in a calculation of a sample image from the plurality of sample point signals.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an endoscopic light source that includes a first emitter. The first emitter may emit light of a first wavelength at a dichroic mirror which reflects the light of the first wavelength to a plurality of optical fibers. The endoscopic light source further comprises a second emitter. The second emitter may emit light of a second wavelength at a second dichroic mirror which reflects the light of the second wavelength to the plurality of optical fibers. In one embodiment, the first dichroic mirror may be transparent to the light of the second wavelength, allowing the light of the second wavelength to pass through the first dichroic mirror.

Abstract: Provided are a pulse compressor and a two-photon excited fluorescence microscope. The microscope includes a light source which generates a laser beam having a pulse, a pulse compressor which compresses the pulse of the laser beam, an objective lens which provides the laser beam to a specimen, and image sensors which receive the laser beam and obtain images of the specimen. The pulse compressor may include a grating plate, a corner cube provided on one side of the grating plate, and a retroreflector provided on the other side of the grating plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination filter system (2) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, such as a surgical microscope, in particular a surgical multispectral fluorescence microscope, comprising a first optical filter (35). The present invention also relates to an observation system (3) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, in particular a multispectral fluorescence microscope, comprising a beam splitter (21) adapted to split a light image (13) into a first light portion (16, 17) along a first light path (18) and a second light portion (20) along a second light path (19).

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging an eye are disclosed. The systems and methods may include at least one plenoptic camera. The systems and methods may include an illumination source with a plurality of lights.

Abstract: Provided is a microscope drape capable of further facilitating an attachment operation thereof to a surgical microscope. A microscope drape comprises: a lens cap attached to and detached from a housing of an objective lens of a surgical microscope; a protective lens protecting the objective lens; and a drape main body covering the surgical microscope. The lens cap is formed such that a portion in a circumferential direction of a cylinder is opened, and has an arc-shaped cross section perpendicular to an optical axis of the objective lens. The microscope drape includes: a protective lens holder that is a cylinder whose outside diameter is larger in size than an inside diameter of the lens cap in a natural state and holds the protective lens; and a joint that pivotably supports the protective lens holder with respect to the lens cap around a pivot axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing guidance to an operator of an ultrasound device that comprises an ultrasound probe housing that contains a plurality of probes. In embodiments, images of inside a body of a patient generated in accordance with reflected ultrasonic waves from the probes are received, the images are processed to identify a needle that has been inserted into the body of the patient, and a notification to the operator is generated based on one or more of a distance or direction of the needle relative to a location of an anatomical part also identified by processing of the images, a distance or direction of the needle relative to an internal target body location also identified by processing of the images, or a distance or direction of the needle relative to a desired path of the needle also identified by processing of the images.

Abstract: A laser interferometer includes a light source that emits first laser light, an optical modulator that includes a vibrator and modulates the first laser light by using the vibrator to generate second laser light including a modulated signal, a photodetector that receives interference light between third laser light including a sample signal generated by reflecting the first laser light on an object and the second laser light to output a light reception signal, and an optical path length variable section that changes an optical path length of an optical path through which the third laser light propagates.

Abstract: An arrangement for light sheet microscopy contains an illumination objective for illuminating a sample located on a slide in a medium with a light sheet, a detection objective, a separation layer system, a first adaptive optical detection correction element, and a further adaptive optical detection correction element and/or a first adaptive optical illumination correction element, and optionally, a further adaptive optical illumination correction element. The arrangement contains an adjustment device for the controlled movement of the first detection correction element and of the further detection correction element and/or of the first illumination correction element and of the further illumination correction element; and a control unit, to generate control commands and to actuate the adjustment devices by means of the control commands such that aberrations are reduced. Corresponding objectives and a corresponding method for reducing aberrations can be used.

Abstract: A depth imaging system in a vehicle includes a lens that includes a polarization-coded aperture. The polarization-coded aperture includes a perpendicular polarization portion to pass incident light entering the perpendicular polarization portion of the polarization-coded aperture as perpendicularly polarized light. The polarization-coded aperture also includes a parallel polarization portion to pass the incident light entering the parallel polarization portion of the polarization-coded aperture as parallel polarized light. An image sensor provides a perpendicularly polarized image based on the perpendicularly polarized light and a parallel polarized image based on the parallel polarized light. A controller processes the perpendicularly polarized image and the parallel polarized image to identify one or more objects in a field of view of the depth imaging system and to determine a range to each of the one or more objects.

Abstract: A sample observation device (1) includes: an emission optical system (3) for emitting planar light (L2) onto a sample (S); a scanning unit (4) for scanning the sample (S) with respect to an emission face (R) of the planar light (L2); an imaging optical system (5) having an observation axis (P2) inclined with respect to the emission face (R) and for forming an image from observation light (L3) generated in the sample (S) in accordance with the emission of the planar light (L2); an image acquiring unit (6) for acquiring a plurality of partial image data corresponding to a part of an optical image according to the observation light (L3) formed as an image by the imaging optical system (5); and an image generating unit (8) for generating observation image data of the sample S based on the plurality of partial image data generated by the image acquiring unit (6).

Abstract: A retina viewing system and method of using the same includes an ophthalmic microscope, a disposable lens attachment, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The microscope has an optical head and a set of internal focusing lenses, the latter providing the microscope with a variable working distance or focal length. The disposable lens attachment includes a resilient body with a proximal end connected to the optical head and a distal end connected to a high-power/high-diopter distal lens. The ECU executes instructions for viewing a retina or other intraocular anatomy of a patient eye. Execution of the instructions causes the ECU to automatically adjust the variable working distance or focal length of the microscope when viewing an image of the retina through the distal lens.

Abstract: A module for a microscope stand comprises a control device with at least one computer hardware component being configured to control the microscope stand. The module further comprises a locating device configured to interact with another locating device formed in a housing of the microscope stand for mounting the module at a predetermined installation site within the housing.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for dynamically shaped focal surface with a scanning microscope. A microscope (e.g., a scanning confocal microscope) may use a scanning element to scan an illumination beam to generate a focal region. The scanning element may include multiple degrees of freedom, such as rotation and translation along orthogonal axes. For example, if the illumination beam is a line focus, rotation along a first axis and translation along a second orthogonal axis may sweep the line focus across a focal surface which is substantially flat and normal to the second axis. In some embodiments, the microscope may be a dual-axis handheld microscope, where a single objective in a handheld housing is used to both direct the scanned illumination beam and receive the collected light.

Abstract: A surgical microscope system having a head unit microscope assembly and a foot control assembly in operative communication with the head unit microscope assembly. The head unit microscope assembly being configured to selectively couple to a floor stand assembly such that the that the head unit microscope assembly can be positioned in a desired operative location by the user. The head unit microscope assembly including one or more of: a mounting adaptor, an XY directional stage, a tilt drive, a focus drive; a microscope subassembly, and/or an illumination system.

Abstract: An optical observation instrument according to the invention, in particular a surgical microscope or exoscope, comprises an optics unit with an objective arrangement and at least one electronic image recorder, wherein the optics unit has a first stereo channel with a first beam path and a second stereo channel with a second beam path for recording a stereo image of an object field with the at least one electronic image recorder and wherein the first and the second beam path extend through the objective arrangement. Further, the observation instrument comprises a retaining apparatus which comprises a retaining bracket, which engages over the optics unit, wherein the retaining bracket comprises an operating device with a number of operating elements for controlling a retaining arm, to which the retaining apparatus is connectable.

Abstract: A system for microscopic examination of a sample has a microscope and an incubation environment conditioning unit connected to the microscope. The microscope has a microscope housing enclosing an illumination optics, a microscope stage and an imaging optics, an integrated sample chamber located within the microscope housing and formed by a separated housing section within the microscope housing. The housing section has a microscope interface for connecting the incubation environment conditioning unit to the sample chamber and/or to a stage top chamber for placing within the sample chamber and for receiving the sample. The system provides a first and a second incubation modes. In the first incubation mode the sample chamber is incubated by supply of a first incubation atmosphere by the incubation environment conditioning unit. In the second incubation mode the stage top chamber is incubated by supply of a second incubation atmosphere by the incubation environment conditioning unit.