Abstract: The apparatus serves for the improvement of the optical qualities of optical microscopes. The microscopes comprise an illuminating unit (1), a condenser lens (3), a primary microscope objective (5) with an optical axis (X), and an ocular or a camera. The apparatus is insertable between the primary microscope objective (5) and the ocular or camera, and comprises a rotatable image visualizing plate (6) and a secondary objective (7). The secondary objective (7) is positioned on said optical axis (X) when the apparatus is inserted in the microscope and it has the same orientation as the primary microscope objective. The apparatus comprises also a tertiary microscope objective (16) that is arranged between the image visualizing plate (6) and the secondary objective (7). The tertiary microscope objective (16) is arranged on the same optical axis (X) as the secondary objective (7) and is inversely orientated with respect to the secondary objective (7).

Abstract: An arrangement for micromanipulation of biological specimens (16), which comprises a microscope (1, 14) having at least one motor-adjustable microscope functional element and at least one motor-adjustable micromanipulator (7, 13) having an injector (20, 21), is described. According to the present invention, the arrangement has associated with it at least one operating console, (8, 23, 24), which comprises at least one operating element (9, 37, 38, 39) for operating both the at least one motor-adjustable microscope functional element and the at least one motor-adjustable micromanipulator (7, 13). The most important functions of the microscope (7, 13), the microscope stage (4), and the micromanipulator (7, 13) can thus be performed centrally at the operating console (8, 23, 24). The operating elements (9, 37, 38, 39) are mounted ergonomically on the operating console (8, 23, 24) in such a way that the hands of a user of the arrangement can remain on the operating console (8, 23, 24) while working.

Abstract: A microscope system includes: a stage that shifts a specimen in x and y directions; a detection section that detects a position of the stage after shifting; a reception section that receives an input of a shift target position for the stage inputted by an observer; an optical system that forms a light flux into a focused and magnified image of the specimen; an image capturing section that captures the magnified image; and a shift section that, if the position detected by the detection section and the shift target position received by the reception section do not agree with one another, shifts a relative positional relationship between the light flux and the image capturing section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing excessive closure between a retractable tip objective and the stage of a microscope which includes positioning a sensor in the turret of a microscope, which sensor is capable of detecting excessive retracting of the retractable tip into the body of the objective, and providing a controller for monitoring the sensor for such excessive retracting and issuing an alert in response to the detection of an event of such excessive retracting. The alert may be made by way of an audio output, or by a visual cue or both. Extinguishing the lamp of the microscope is a preferred visual cue, as the excessive retracting of the retractable tip is generally caused by a focusing error, and the extinguishing of the light source reduces or eliminates the ability of the user of the microscope to focus the microscope, thus attracting his or her attention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microscope for operation. This microscope for operation comprises a front lens 15 disposed between an eye 8 to be operated and an objective 12. The front lens collects an illuminating light P to guide the collected light within the eye for illuminating an interior of the eye. An operator performs an operation within the eye through an eyepiece 30. A refracting power of the front lens 15 is within a range of 30D to 50D.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a microscope and a method for operating a microscope, in particular a confocal or double confocal scanning microscope, having an optical beam path (9) extending between a light source (1), a specimen (2), and a detector (7) and/or a detection optical system, in which context intentional and unintentional relative motions occur between the specimen (2) and the optical beam path (9), undesired relative motions of the microscope components in optical beam path (9) are intended to result in no (or only minor) image defects, and method steps are provided which eliminate or minimize the image defects brought about by undesired relative motions between the specimen (2) and optical beam path (9); and is characterized in that a first device (8) detects relative motions; and a second device (22) compensates for unintentional relative motions.

Abstract: Focusing systems for which variation of magnification with focus is either inherently compensated, or is calibrated and corrected. The required conditions for inherent compensation are determined, and the desired state is called constant relative magnification. It is shown that telecentricity does not guarantee constant relative magnification. Both telecentric and non-telecentric accessory cameras for endoscopes are disclosed that have constant relative magnification, as are additional optical systems for general metrological purposes. Methods for calibrating change in relative magnification and deviation of the optical axis with focal shift are disclosed, as are methods for incorporating these changes into perspective dimensional measurements. Embodiments are disclosed in which only a single quantity need be measured to perform the correction, and these embodiments require only a low-resolution position transducer to provide accurate measurements.

Abstract: The portable microscope includes an end plate and pivotable adapter for improved inspection of multiple fiber optic cables in a single connector. The end plate is mounted on the head unit housing of the microscope. The adapter is mounted on a pivot cylinder extending from the end plate. The adapter includes a jig for receiving and retaining a connector. Each fiber optic cable in the connector can be inspected one at a time by pivoting the adapter so that each of the fiber optic cables is in view through the microscope. The adapter also includes an aperture which is positioned over the head of the fastener used to connect the end plate to the housing. The pivoting movement of the adapter is limited by the engagement of the aperture against the head of the fastener.

Abstract: A microscope having a mirror for deflecting light from an illumination light source in a direction of an objective lens and illuminating a specimen via a condenser lens disposed above the mirror includes a stage support which is mounted on the upper surface of a base portion to permanently hold a stage, on which a specimen is placed, with respect to the optical axis direction of the objective lens, a condenser body mounted on the upper surface of the base portion, a condenser lens holding member for holding the condenser body, an elevating mechanism for vertically moving the condenser lens holding member, and a focusing mechanism for moving the objective lens in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that improve the depth resolution of confocal microscopy images using out-of-focus information from within the focal plane of interest (from the x-y direction) and/or from planes above and below the focal plane of interest (from the z-direction). The interaction of (a) a reflective surface or other light-emanating material and (b) the PSF formed by a confocal microscope results in “out-of-focus” information in, above and below the focal plane; this “out-of-focus” information can be measured. Comparing the measurements in the x-y plane, preferably at a plurality of z-positions, can improve the resolution along each of the x, y, and z-axes, increase the number of the photons used in the system, thus improving the signal to noise ratio, and help correct for aberrations, such as spherical aberrations or other optical aberrations, in the optical system of a microscope.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a viewing arrangement (1) having a viewing optic (3) for viewing an object (5) along a viewing beam path. The viewing arrangement (1) also has an illuminating apparatus (9) for illuminating the object (5) along an illuminating beam path running segment-wise transversely to the viewing beam path. A beam-shaping illuminating element (15) is mounted in the segment of the illuminating beam path running transversely to the viewing beam path. The illuminating element (15) is asymmetrical relative to the illuminating beam path.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a double confocal scanning microscope (1) having an illuminating beam path (2) of at least one light source (3), and a detected beam path (4) of at least one detector (5), and in order to achieve almost the theoretically possible resolution capability, in particular in the context of multi-color fluorescence applications, is characterized in that the optical properties in particular of the components (6, 10, 13, 14) arranged in the beam path are coordinated with one another in such a way that the accumulated aberrations, with respect to the optical axis (33) and/or at least one surface (18, 19, 20) in the specimen region, are at least of the order of magnitude of the theoretically achievable resolution capability.

Abstract: A microscope is capable of changing over a magnification of an objective lens with a simple construction and by a simple changeover operation without operating a focusing handle when observing a sample within a chamber. The microscope includes an objective lens change unit for holding a plurality of objective lenses and selectively disposing the objective lenses on an observation optical path of the microscope. The objective lens change unit has a first objective lens holding member which holds a first objective lens among the plurality of objective lenses, and a second objective lens holding member which holds a second objective lens a working distance of which is shorter than that of the first objective lens. The first objective lens holding member is fixed to the objective lens change unit. The second objective lens holding member is so provided in the objective lens change unit as to be movable in an optical axis direction of the second objective lens.

Abstract: A handheld imaging microscope for imaging tissue samples substantially beneath the surface of the tissue sample. The microscope includes an objective lens and a window defining a tissue contacting surface in pressure contacting relationship with the surface of the tissue sample when the tissue sample is imaged by the objective lens to view tissue structures for pathological applications. The objective lens focuses an illumination beam through the window to the tissue sample and receives returned reflected light of the beam representative of one or more sections of the tissue sample.

Abstract: A microscope including a support section for supporting a viewing section and an objective lens section and slidably supporting a stage section and a lighting section. The objective lens section includes a plurality of objective lenses having different magnifying factors and arranged linearly in a direction perpendicular to the support section and the objective lenses are contained in a downwardly directed housing while the stage section is contained in an upwardly directed housing so that a hermetically sealed housing can be formed of the downwardly directed housing and the upwardly directed housing by driving the stage section to slide.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inspection microscope for the semiconductor industry. The microscope stand consists of a foot (1), a pillar (4) and a crosshead (5). In order to facilitate unobstructed feeding of samples from the back part of the microscope stand, the pillar (4) is mounted laterally next to the back end of the foot (1) and the crosshead (5) arranged thereon when seen from the front. This makes it possible to save space and avoid adaptations when integrating the microscope stand into the clusters in the test area of the semiconductor industry and to feed test objects directly from the back of the microscope stage (3). In an especially advantageous construction of the stand, the inspection microscope is particularly suitable for examining large-surface objects (e.g. flat screens or 400 nm wafers).

Abstract: An optical microscope has a revolver for selectively inserting a plurality of objective lenses including a low-magnification (very-low-magnification) objective lens on an optical axis for observation light. In fluorescence observation using the low-magnification objective lens, the effective diameter of an observation optical system is set larger than that of an illumination optical system. With this arrangement, fluorescence observation using the low-magnification objective lens can be stably performed. A cube unit having a plurality of cubes corresponding to the respective microscopic methods is arranged in the optical microscope. An auxiliary lens serving as a very-low-magnification objective lens is mounted in this cube unit. The auxiliary lens can be automatically used in observation using the very-low-magnification objective lens. With this arrangement, a compact optical microscope excellent in operability can be realized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular intermediary unit for a microscope comprising a relatively small upper part and a similarly small lower part, the upper part being pivotable about an axis of rotation relative to the lower part. Two deflecting mirrors are located in the observation beam path in the upper and lower parts. At least one of the deflecting mirrors can be pivoted, preferably about the same axis of rotation about which the upper part pivots, depending upon the tilt angle of the upper part relative to the lower part. The invention allows an observer to freely adjust an eyepiece tube carried by the upper part without changing the view on the field of vision under the microscope.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microscope, in particular an operating microscope with a remote controlled adjustment system (32) for an ocular (8); the adjustment system preferably facilitates automatic adjustment of the ocular to match the optical characteristics of the user's eye (1). A further development also facilitates automatic adjustment of the separation of the eyepiece tubes in a stereomicroscope.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microscope, in particular an operating microscope with an autofocussing system that adjusts focus based on the user's gaze. A sensor tracks pupil position and this information is evaluated to determine a specific area in the user's field of vision to which the user's gaze is directed, and the autofocussing system brings the specific area into focus.

Abstract: The portable microscope includes an end plate for improved inspection of the end surface of a fiber optic cable at a connection point in a fiber optic system. The end plate is mounted on the head unit housing of the microscope and includes a tubular aperture for receiving and positioning the end of the fiber optic cable for microscopic inspection. A reflection bowl is formed about the tubular aperture on the inner surface of the plate to direct more light to the end of the fiber optic cable. The tubular aperture may be formed in an adapter and the adapter may be secured in a threaded aperture of the end plate. A rocker head adapter may be used to provide both direct and angled viewing of the end surface of a glass fiber. Spacer blocks with reflective surfaces are used to position the end plate on the microscope and to direct more light towards the end surface of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact microscope 4 especially for medical routine applications. The microscope is configured as a closed housing 8 wherein the specimen 30 to be microscoped is drawn in via an input opening 25. All optical components of the microscope are mounted within the housing. Alternatively, the microscope can be mounted in a standard drive bay of a personal computer 3. All movable components of the microscope are motorically driven and controlled by software via the computer. The specimen can be moved in two mutually perpendicular directions within the microscope to select the object detail of interest. An overview diagram of the specimen is produced with a line sensor when the specimen is drawn in.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microscope, in particular an operating microscope with a remote controlled adjustment system (32) for an ocular (8); the adjustment system preferably facilitates automatic adjustment of the ocular to match the optical characteristics of the user's eye (1). A further development also facilitates automatic adjustment of the separation of the eyepiece tubes in a stereomicroscope.

Abstract: A microscope (23A) has a sensor or eye pupil tracking device (3A) and preferably a device for representing symbols of control elements by means of which various functions or accessories of the microscope may be actuated by eye movements.

Abstract: The portable microscope includes an end plate with a reflective inner surface for improved inspection of the end surface of a fiber optic cable at a connection point in a fiber optic system. The end plate is mounted on the head unit housing of the microscope and includes a tubular aperture for receiving and positioning the end of the fiber optic cable for microscopic inspection. A bowl is formed about the tubular aperture on the inner surface of the plate to direct more light to the end of the fiber optic cable. The outer surface of the plate includes a positioning tube for receiving a ferrule with the end of the fiber optic cable and directing the ferrule and fiber optic cable through the aperture into the bowl.

Abstract: A confocal microscope equipped with a light source, a rotary disk having holes, a highly sensitive image receiver or camera, an immersion lens, and a contact endpiece for contacting the skin and in which is engaged at least a lower part of the lens. The endpiece includes a central opening and abuts the skin about the central opening. The microscope allows for relative axial displacement of the contact endpiece relative to the lens.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained, easy-to-use and readily portable apparatus which can be carried in a woman's purse or pocket for determining the period of maximum fertility. The apparatus includes a hollow housing that sealably contains a small magnifying system, a saliva specimen slide and an internal switch operated illuminating system for illuminating the saliva slide. The small magnifying system is used to closely view patters formed on the specimen slide by the saliva after it has dried and crystallized on the slide. The patterns are then compared with standard comparison patterns to determine the woman's present ability to conceive.

Abstract: An angular adjustment mechanism (11) for precisely adjusting an eyepiece (12) of an optical assembly (10) through the use of a parallel action joint lever system. The parallel action joint lever system acts to allow the eyepiece (12) and a mirror (24), disposed within the assembly (10), to rotate about a common axis (28), with the eyepiece (12) rotating at two times the angular speed of the mirror (24). The relative angular movement of the eyepiece (12) and the mirror (24) allows a user to obtain a comfortable viewing position without disturbing the alignment of the optical assembly (10). Furthermore, the relative angular movement of the eyepiece (12) and the mirror (24) does not effect the imaging of the optical assembly (10), or cause optical image shifts.

Abstract: An angular adjustment mechanism (11) for precisely adjusting an eyepiece (12) of an optical assembly (10) through the use of a system of levers. The system of levers acts to allow the eyepiece (12) and a mirror (24), disposed within the assembly (10), to rotate about a common axis (28), with the eyepiece (12) rotating at two times the angular speed of the mirror (24). The relative angular movement of the eyepiece (12) and the mirror (24) allows a user to obtain a comfortable viewing position without disturbing the alignment of the optical assembly (10). Furthermore, the relative angular movement of the eyepiece (12) and the mirror (24) does not significantly effect the imaging of the optical assembly (10), or cause optical image shifts.

Abstract: A microscope has an objective optical system coupled to an observation optical system with parallel optical axes. A stage, which holds a sample, rectilinearly moves in a direction toward and away from the observation optical axis, which is perpendicular to the plane of the stage. The objective optical system rectilinearly moves in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the stage. The microscope thus permits viewing of a large sample with a small stroke of the stage, whereby a compact and lightweight structure may be achieved.

Abstract: A viewing tube for a microscope has an optical deflecting element such as a mirror for deflecting light from an objective, a supporting member for supporting the optical deflecting element and an eyepiece portion into which the light deflected by the optical deflecting element enters. The supporting member is rotatable around a first shaft and the eyepiece portion is rotatable around a second shaft. An engaging member is mounted on the eyepiece portion in a position whose distance from the second shaft is equal to the distance between the first shaft and the second shaft. Guiding members are provided on the supporting member for engaging with the engaging member and restricting the engaging member in the circumferential direction around the first shaft, so that the supporting member and the optical deflecting element are rotated around the first shaft in accordance with rotation of the eyepiece portion around the second shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed a microscope provided with a parallel ray optical system, for forming parallel light rays, between the objective lens and the eyepiece lens. A lens barrel supporting the parallel ray optical system is axially extended or retracted with respect to the objective lens, such as by mutual engagement of a ratchet and a claw member, thereby varying the optical path length of the parallel light rays and thus adjusting the height of the eyepiece lens.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for easily and accurately aligning confocal tandem scanning reflected light microscopes having scanning disc hole diameters as small as 20 microns are described. The method involves the observation and analysis of Moire and other patterns of light occurring within the microscope, and using the apparatus to make very sensitive adjustments that result in a fully aligned, rugged, and stable confocal tandem scanning reflected light microscope offering improved resolution, contrast, and optical slicing capability.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a combination of a viewing and/or documenting apparatus and an endoscope connected forward thereof. The endoscope can be pulled out relative to the apparatus and can be deflected at an angle if desired. A coupling is provided between the focusing position of the main objective of the apparatus and the pull-out length of the endoscope in such a manner that the intermediate image supplied by the endoscope is always focused independently of the particular pull-out length.

Abstract: The rugged filter/switch cavity includes at least a two section low thermal expansion glass tubular frame, each section with a highly polished edge for abutting engagement and rigid gripping by electrostatic attraction to maintain the cavity integrity. Each frame section supports a multi-layer low loss thin film mirror in opposing relation to define the cavity gap. One mirror is fixed in the first section and the other mirror is carried by a diaphragm portion of the other section for axial movement toward and away from the first mirror to tune the cavity to different frequencies. Coaxially aligned optical fibers, affixed to each section by flexible epoxy, guide light from a broadband source including, one or more signals, into the first section, through the first mirror and back and forth between mirrors until the cavity is resonant to a signal to be selected which signal then exits the cavity via the second mirror and the other optical fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a defocused laser beam to a sharp-edged spot (having variable size) in a target plane. The beam has a low power density in a plane of interest between the delivery apparatus and the target plane. In a preferred embodiment, the target plane is the retina of a patient's eye, and the defocused beam profile is controlled so that the beam has low power density at the eye's cornea. The beam produced by the invention is useful not only for ophthalmic surgery, but also for industrial laser heat treating and cutting applications in which a sharp-edged beam cross-section is needed at a target, particularly where delivery of low beam power densities at non-target structures are desirable. In a preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus, an input laser beam emerges from an optical fiber, and a first lens (having short focal length) is mounted adjacent the optical fiber's output end to receive and transform the input beam.

Abstract: An oblique viewing system is attachable to a microscope to selectively obtain a perpendicular view (along the optical axis of the microscope) and oblique views of surfaces of objects under inspection. The attachment is connected to the microscope's objective end by a coupling on a housing containing the viewing system. The system includes a folding mirror and an oblique viewing mirror, spaced from the folding mirror and having its reflecting surface facing the object under inspection. A latching or a toggle mechanism, connected to a rotatable support for the folding mirror, enables that mirror to be set in either of two positions, one out of the way of the perpendicular path to provide a perpendicular view and the other to orient the reflecting surface thereof to face the reflecting surface of the oblique viewing mirror along an optical axis there between.

Abstract: A raster scan apparatus provides a scanning assembly capable of moving in a sinusoidal motion along a first direction and stepping in fine steps in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric bimorph sets in scanning motion a scanning assembly formed by a wafer holder and leaf springs. The amplitude of the scanning motion is controlled by a voltage applied across the piezoelectric bimorph. A Hall effect sensor provides an output signal indicating the instantaneous location of the scanning assembly in motion. The output signal of the Hall effect sensor is compared against a predetermined threshold to provide a trigger signal for synchronization. The output signal of the Hall effect sensor is also fed back to the source of sinusoidal voltage to adaptively adjust the sinusoidal voltage so as to achieve a predetermined amplitude for the scanning motion.

Abstract: A microscope includes a first stage for placing a specimen on a first plane, a second stage for placing the specimen on a second plane, an objective lens provided between the first plane and the second plane, the objective lens being provided so that the first plane and the second plane are in conjugate relationship with the objective lens, a Koehler illuminating optical system for supplying an illuminating light beam for illuminating the first plane, the illuminating optical system supplying the illuminating light beam to the second plane through the objective lens when the specimen is placed on the second plane, and an observation system for observing therethrough the image of the specimen formed on a third plane, the observation system being provided with an optical system cooperating with the objective lens to cause the image of the specimen placed on the first plane to be formed on a third plane, or cause the image of the specimen placed on the second plane to be formed on the third plane.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first and second cylindrical body member separately and coaxially mounted relative to one another with the first body member including a resilient perimeter eye piece mounted about a forward terminal end thereof to permit viewing interiorly of the first cylindrical body member through a focusing lens. The focusing lens coaxially aligned with a plurality of fixed lenses positioned forwardly of a slide receptacle for a slide member directed therethrough for sampling of various blood samples therewithin. A sample transparency is positionable forwardly of the slide member to permit visual observation of normal and abnormal blood samples for comparison with a sample mounted within the slide member. Illumination means is mounted rearwardly of the slide member.

Abstract: A focus spot size controller for a variable depth triangulation ranging system, the ranging system including apparatus for emitting light beam to be focused onto an object, light sensitive apparatus, lens apparatus for imaging reflected light onto said light sensitive apparatus, and apparatus for calculating system geometry and range from signals received from the light sensitive apparatus. The present invention includes a focus spot size controller for receiving the light beam from the light beam emitting apparatus and for focusing the light beam into a focused spot on an object, the controller positioning the focused spot axially to achieve sufficient focus spot size for imaging.

Abstract: The combination in optical series of a microscope objective lens system with a first positive lens system, and a focusing module, all in combination with one another and with such other components as are required to provide a microscope image, allows the user of such a microscope, to continuously alter the active focal relationships of the microscope by continuously varying the afocal variator and the distance of the microscope objective lens system from the object which is undergoing examination, and all without the need to physically change the length dimension of the microscope system, and without the need to change the positions of any of the lenses outside of the afocal variator, and without the need to change the microscope objective lens. The focusing module includes, a front negative lens system, an afocal variator optical system, and a rear positive optical system. The afocal variator optical system includes in optical series a front positive lens, a negative lens, and a rear positive lens.

Abstract: A stereoscopic microscope system having a primary and secondary viewing station which are rotatably positionable relative to one another for simultaneously viewing an object is disclosed. An objective lens focuses a plurality of rays of light aligned with a primary optic axis upon an object to be viewed. The light deflecting mechanism redirects a pair of rays of light from the objective lens orthogonally to form a diagonal optic axis spaced transversely from the primary optic axis. Both the primary and orthogonal optic axes extend perpendicular to an intersect a transverse optic axis extending therebetween. A second light deflecting mechanism redirects a pair of light rays in the orthogonal optic axis along a secondary viewing station optic axis spaced from and parallel to the transverse optic axis to be viewed by a secondary observer. A mechanism for stretching or compressing a passive light in the orthogonal axis as a secondary viewing station is rotated is provided.