Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a microscope is provided comprising a microscope assembly and a lens positioner. The lens positioner comprises a tension control assembly, an adjustable lens extension assembly, and a tensile cord coupling the tension control assembly to the adjustable lens extension assembly. The tension control assembly is configured to control the degree of tension in the tensile cord. The adjustable lens extension assembly comprises a flexible linkage subassembly and a lens support subassembly. The flexible linkage subassembly comprises a proximal end and a distal end and is configured such that the distal end is movable relative to the proximal end through a plurality of degrees of freedom of movement. The lens support subassembly is secured to the distal end of the flexible linkage subassembly.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ophthalmologic surgical microscope system (100) for examining the eye of a patient. The ophthalmologic surgical microscope system includes a surgical microscope (101) as well as a carrier arrangement (102) wherein the surgical microscope (101) is accommodated so as to permit elevation adjustment in order to be able to adjust a work distance between the surgical microscope (101) and the eye of the patient. An ophthalmoscopic ancillary module (103) is connected to the surgical microscope and has an adjustable ophthalmoscopic magnifier system in order to adjust a distance between the ophthalmoscopic magnifier and the surgical microscope (101). The ophthalmologic surgical microscope system (100) has a sensor system for measuring the distance of the surgical microscope (101) from the patient eye. The sensor system is configured as an OCT-measuring device.

Abstract: An objective changer for a microscope is described, comprising a changing device for transferring at least a first objective held in a first objective holder from a first stand-by position along a first transfer path into an operating position where the first objective defines an optical axis and a second objective held in a second objective holder from a second stand-by position along a second transfer path into an operating position where the second objective defines an optical axis. The first and second transfer paths differ from each other but both extend substantially perpendicular to the optical axis at least within a first area of the first transfer path and a first area of the second transfer path.

Abstract: An objective changer for a microscope includes a changing device configured to pendulously swing each of a plurality of objectives into a respective operating position near a focal position.

Abstract: A changing device for receiving optical elements, particularly for microscopes, has a stand comprising a side wall, front wall and rear wall. This changing device is arranged at a holder in the telecentric part of the microscope beam path and is outfitted with a quantity of optical components influencing the beam path. The arrangement is mounted so as to be rotatable around an axis of rotation which is situated in the holder and which intersects the optical axis of the microscope beam path.

Abstract: A compact, portable microscope for use in the field is provided with: an optical path extending within the microscope casing between a viewing port and an eyepiece element, which path is folded by a plurality of reflectors; and a cam and follower microscope focusing mechanism. The cam and follower microscope focusing mechanism is configured such that an objective lens element is moveable relative to a substantially planar viewing stage comprising the viewing port. A first portion of the folded optical path between the viewing port and a first reflector extends in a first plane substantially perpendicularly to a second plane in which the remainder of the optical path extends.

Abstract: A microscope, which moves an objective lens along an observation optical axis with respect to a specimen, includes an imaging unit and a supporting unit. The imaging unit has an imaging lens, which is arranged on the observation optical axis and forms an observation image of the specimen, and an imaging element, which is arranged on the observation optical axis and takes the observation image, and is optically connected to the objective lens by a parallel light flux. The supporting unit fixedly supports the imaging unit, and movably supports the objective lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system for observing an object, having a first system part with at least one observation beam path and at least one second system part with at least one other observation beam path, wherein the at least two system parts have a common or separate first imaging stage and a different second imaging stage, wherein the first imaging stage has an objective, wherein the second imaging stage of the first system part is designed as visual or digital and the second imaging stage of the second system part is designed as visual or digital, in which a visual imaging stage has at least one eyepiece and a magnification system with different lenses and in which a digital imaging stage has at least one camera adapter and a magnification system with different lenses, and wherein the second imaging stage of the second system part is designed in such a way that it makes possible a higher optical resolution of the object to be observed than the second imaging stage of the first system part.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a temperature-controllable objective, particularly for microscopes and other optical equipment, which comprises a main barrel as the main component part of the objective. The main barrel contains at least one correction mount, cylinder sleeves, mounting rings, carrier rings and/or adjusting rings, and imaging optical elements. In order to control the temperature, at least one structural component part of the objective or an element arranged between structural component parts of the objective is constructed as a temperature-controllable element or as a temperature-controllable foil which is connected (not shown) by leads to a device for monitoring temperature. Further, a temperature gauge or temperature sensor is arranged in the objective and is likewise connected to the device for monitoring temperature.

Abstract: A projector device, includes: a projector unit, including a light source and a projection lens whose focal position is variable, that projects an image upon a projection surface with a light flux outputted from the light source that passes through the projection lens; an image-capturing unit, including a photographic lens whose focal position is variable, that captures an image of a subject with a light flux from the exterior that passes through the photographic lens; and a single drive source that generates drive force for changing both the focal position of the projection lens and the focal position of the photographic lens.

Abstract: A microscope for focusing by inserting a split prism at a focusing support time. The image of an iris stop is branched into such two images by the angle deflecting action of the split prism as are individually shifted and focused at symmetric positions across the optical axis of the microscope. These two branched images of the iris stop are further focused on an objective lens through a beam splitter by the focusing action of a lens. The operation unit of a vertical motion device is operated to move an optical system up and down so that the images of a focused pattern are viewed to move in opposite directions from each other in the field of view.

Abstract: A replacement apparatus for an optical element mounted between two adjacent optical elements in a lithography objective has a holder for the optical element to be replaced, which holder can be moved into the lithography objective through a lateral opening in a housing of the same.

Abstract: In an automated scanning cytometry system, chromatic aberration is used for multiplanar image acquisition.

Abstract: A microscope for introducing light from a light source via an objective lens to a sample so that a user observes the sample via the objective lens includes: a minute opening arranged in an optical path between the light source and the objective lens and on a focal plane of the image side of the objective lens or at a position conjugate with its conjugate plane; position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the minute opening so that the light from the light source via the minute opening is incident to the sample at the Brewster's angle; an polarizing element arranged in the optical path between the light source and the objective lens for extracting rectilinear polarized light from the light from the light source and applying the rectilinear polarized light to the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to an objective replacement device for a microscope, wherein the sample is located in a sample chamber and surrounded by an immersion medium within the sample chamber, means for positioning and aligning the sample relative to the focus of an objective being present, wherein the detection beam path is aligned horizontally, which is to say perpendicular to the direction of action of gravity. For an objective replacement device for a microscope of the type described above, according to the invention a device is provided for exchanging the objective, at the focus of which the sample is positioned and aligned, with at least another objective, the position and alignment of the sample within the sample chamber remaining the same.

Abstract: A 3-D optical microscope, a method of turning a conventional optical microscope into a 3-D optical microscope, and a method of creating a 3-D image on an optical microscope are described. The 3-D optical microscope includes a processor, at least one objective lens, an optical sensor capable of acquiring an image of a sample, a mechanism for adjusting focus position of the sample relative to the objective lens, and a mechanism for illuminating the sample and for projecting a pattern onto and removing the pattern from the focal plane of the objective lens. The 3-D image creation method includes taking two sets of images, one with and another without the presence of the projected pattern, and using a software algorithm to analyze the two image sets to generating a 3-D image of the sample. The 3-D image creation method enables reliable and accurate 3-D imaging on almost any sample regardless of its image contrast.

Abstract: It is an object to realize smooth switching between free scanning and high speed scanning in a light scanning apparatus and a light scanning microscope. To attain the object, a light scanning apparatus includes at least three mirror scanners disposed at predetermined positions of a light path for light scanning, and a light path switching unit switching the light path between a light path in which a highest-speed mirror scanner among the mirror scanners is valid and a light path in which the highest-speed mirror scanner is invalid. Therefore, the switching between a free scanning mode and a high speed scanning mode is performed by the driving of the light switching unit and involves no movement of galvanometer scanners. In addition, since the resonant galvanometer scanner is invalid during the free scanning mode, it is possible to make the resonant galvanometer scanner on standby.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus capable of removing liquid from an observation field of view of a dry objective lens, when an immersion objective lens is switched to the dry objective lens, is provided. The microscope apparatus includes a specimen XY stage on which a specimen is placed, a dry objective lens and an immersion objective lens that collect light from the specimen, a movable revolver that selectively disposes one of these objective lenses at a position facing the specimen, and a control unit that controls the specimen XY stage and movable revolver such that the relative positions in the XY direction are changed until the immersion objective lens is disposed at a non-observation region of the dry objective lens, prior to switching of these objective lenses.

Abstract: A device is described for placing at least one optical element in an observation beam path of a light microscope. This device comprises a rotatably mounted support for the at least one optical element and an electric drive for rotating the support. By rotating the rotatably mounted support the at least one optical element is place in or removed from the observation beam path. The support and the drive are coupled by a stepping gear mechanism converting a continuous movement of the drive into a stepwise movement of the support between defined working positions, the working positions being selected such that the optical element assumes a defined position with respect to the observation beam path.

Abstract: An optical-device switching apparatus of a microscope includes a driving motor, and a rotation unit that is rotatably attached to a body and to which optical devices are attached, and a gear apparatus that is located between the driving motor and the rotation unit and transmits power from the driving motor to the rotation unit. The gear apparatus includes a backlash reduction system that reduces backlash.

Abstract: An immersion objective for microscopic investigation of a specimen is provided wherein an outer lens is disposed in an objective body. A delivery device including a cap that is disposed over the objective body so as to form a space adapted to receive an immersion liquid is also provided. The cap is open in a region of the outer lens so as to form a gap with the outer lens. The cap includes at least one connector configured to provide a continuous supply of the immersion liquid to the space so that the immersion liquid emerges through the gap to a region between the outer lens and at least one of the specimen and a specimen slide.

Abstract: A box-type motor-operated microscope has a motor-operated microscope section having a transmitting illumination optical system, an electric stage, and an image forming optical system; and a housing. The housing includes a fixed housing and a moving housing. The moving housing is movable parallel to an oblique direction with respect to the fixed housing while holding optical elements arranged above the electric stage so that the specimen vessel placed on the electric stage is made replaceable, the motor-operated microscope section is sealed and light-blocked in cooperation with the fixed housing, and the optical axis of the transmitting illumination optical system is practically aligned with that of the image forming optical system.

Abstract: A microscope includes a microscope main body, a revolving nosepiece rotatably mounted on the microscope main body and equipped with plural objective lenses, and focusing handles that adjust focal points of the objective lenses. The microscope further includes operation knobs mounted in a vicinity of the focusing handles and configured to move by a predetermined amount in a predetermined directions and an operating-force transmitting mechanism provided between the operation knobs and the revolving nosepiece and configured to transmit, when the operation knobs move, operating force to the revolving nosepiece to cause the movable member to move so that the objective lenses can be switched from one to the other through a single moving operation of the operation knobs by the predetermined amount.

Abstract: The present invention enables switching between wide-field observation and high-magnification observation during in vivo examination of a small laboratory animal or the like using a narrow-diameter objective lens, without changing the objective lens. There is provided a microscope optical system including an objective lens for collecting light from an examination target; an image-forming lens for imaging the light collected by the objective lens onto a detection device; and an auxiliary optical system, having positive power, which is provided so as to be capable of being inserted in and removed from a light path between the objective lens and the image-forming lens.

Abstract: A device driving a corrector ring of a corrector ring mounting objective lens mounted to an objective mounting and dismounting section of a revolver includes a rotation driving mechanism having a motor and a turning effort transmitting section which transmits a turning effort of the motor to the corrector ring of the corrector ring mounting objective lens mounted to the revolver to drive the corrector ring; and a connection unit for connecting the turning effort transmitting section to the corrector ring of the corrector ring mounting objective lens introduced into an observation optical path in association with a switching operation performed by the revolver and disconnecting the turning effort transmitting section from the corrector ring of the corrector ring mounting objective lens removed from the observation optical path.

Abstract: A microscope examination apparatus is provided that includes a light source for emitting excitation light or illumination light to a specimen placed on a stage; an objective lens opposing the stage and capable of focusing fluorescence or reflected light from the specimen; an image-forming lens for forming an image of the specimen obtained by the objective lens; and an image-capturing unit for capturing the image of the specimen forming by the image-forming lens, wherein a plurality of the objective lenses having different magnifying powers is provided, and an objective-lens switching mechanism for switching among the objective lenses is provided, and wherein a plurality of the image-forming lenses having different magnifying powers is provided, and an image-forming-lens switching mechanism for switching among the image-forming lenses is provided.

Abstract: The present invention, among other things, relates to a front-lens attachment (20) for an optical observation device (10), in particular for a microscope. The front-lens attachment (20) has a retaining element (38) that has a retaining element (32), on which at least one lens element (33, 34) is disposed. Further, it provides a positioning device (21) for positioning the retaining element (32) and the at least one lens element (33, 34) disposed thereon, relative to the optical observation device (10), whereby retaining device (32) is disposed on positioning device (21). Finally, a fastening means (35) for fastening the retaining device (38) to the front-lens attachment (20) is provided. In order to be able to provide such a front-lens attachment (20) in a structurally simple and cost-effective manner, it is provided, for example, that positioning device (21) has at least two positioning components (22, 28), which are joined together via a joint (31).

Abstract: A drive unit 5 of a surgical microscope apparatus 1 moves an entire optical system horizontally. A driver 175 moves a head lens 13 vertically. An imaging device 56a detects reflected light (observation light) of illumination light guided by an observation optical system 30. A controller 60 obtains a cross-sectional shape of the observation light based on the result of the detection of the observation light by the imaging device 56a, and controls the drive unit 5 to move the optical system horizontally so that this cross-sectional shape becomes a specified reference cross-sectional shape. Moreover, the controller 60 obtains the luminance distribution of the observation light based on the result of the detection of the observation light by the imaging device 56a, and controls the driver 175 to move the head lens 13 vertically so that this luminance distribution becomes a specified reference distribution profile.

Abstract: An automated microscope includes a stand and a front control panel. The front control panel is disposed on the stand and including a first and a second button. Third and a fourth buttons are associated with the microscope.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement and a method for imaging depth-structured objects and for calibrating the imaging in connection therewith, preferably for generating stereoscopic images from different observation planes at different depth levels of an object. According to the invention, in an optical arrangement for imaging depth-structured objects comprising an entrance pupil, an aperture diaphragm, and a receiver surface positioned in the imaging beam path, at least one optical assembly which is displaceable in axial direction is provided between the aperture diaphragm and the receiver surface, and the displacement of this optical assembly within a predetermined length range causes a change in the focus position while the magnification remains the same.

Abstract: Various types of optical members can be electrically inserted/extracted to/from an optical path. The state of the insertion/extraction or the state of opening/closing is detected by a sensor. An operating unit obtains various types of instructions. A controlling unit comprises a memory. The memory records a plurality of states of the insertion/extraction of an optical member in/from an optical path or the state of opening/closing, which is detected by the sensor, as an observation state. A controlling circuit switches an observation state to any of observation states recorded in the memory by controlling the insertion/extraction or the opening/closing each time the operating unit obtains an instruction to request the setting of an observation state.

Abstract: A microscope system comprising a microscope; an objective lens switching unit switching objective lenses placed in an observation light path; an imaging unit; a storage unit storing optical characteristic information of each of the objective lenses; a light amount difference calculation unit obtaining optical characteristic information of a first of the objective lenses before switching performed by the objective lens switching unit and optical characteristic information of a second of the objective lenses after the switching, and calculating a difference in amounts of light passing through the two objective lenses; and an exposure calculation unit calculating an exposure time for a case of performing image capturing through the second objective lens, on the basis of a first observed image captured through the first objective lens, an exposure time for the first observed image, and the calculated difference in the amounts of light.

Abstract: A microscope includes a switching mechanism which has a plurality of lens units, and which inserts a selected lens unit of the plurality of lens units into an observation light path and disposes the non-selected other lens units outside the observation light path. A control unit controls a movement speed of a stage, onto which a sample is placed, in an optical axis direction according to an observation power of the selected lens unit inserted into the observation light path. The plurality of lens units include: (i) a plurality of fixed-power lens units which are lens units including a combination of imaging lenses and objective lenses, and whose observation powers when observing the sample mutually differ, and (ii) a zoom lens unit which has a continuously changeable observation power.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope having a carrier (12) bearing a microscope body (4) displaceable obliquely relative to a displacement direction of a focus-adjusting mechanism (9). A binocular beam splitter (2a) is used to combine two stereoscopic observation beam paths (3a, 3b) into a common beam path (3c), wherein the axes of the two observation beam paths (3a, 3b) entering into the binocular beam splitter (2a) and the axis of the beam path (3c) emerging from the binocular beam splitter (2a) are parallel to each other, and the axis of the emerging beam path (3c) is disposed at displacement (Vs) from a symmetry axis of the two entering observation beam paths (3a, 3b). Displacement of the carrier being able to compensate for displacement (Vs). A switching device (5) is provided that can be activated to bring lenses (6, 7) over an object (8) parfocally and parcentrically.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tube (3) for a microscope (1), in which at least two beam paths are provided, wherein a change-over device is provided in the tube (3), by means of which device a first (5) or a second flat-field optical element can be rotated and/or moved selectively into the beam paths (2) of the beam paths (8) aligned by an objective (7), for aligning the beam paths for an observer, wherein the second flat-field optical element has a function of exchanging the beam paths and inverting the image. Further, the invention concerns a microscope (1) with such a tube (3).

Abstract: A zoom microscope includes an observation optical system having an exchangeable objective lens, an aperture diaphragm, an afocal zoom system, and an image forming optical system; and a zoom epi-illumination optical system. The zoom epi-illumination optical system has an optical path which is also the optical path of the observation optical system between the objective lens and the afocal zoom system so as to illuminate an object by incident light. In the zoom epi-illumination optical system, an image of a light source is formed in the vicinity of the pupil position of the objective lens. This realizes a zoom microscope capable of performing fluorescent epi-illumination without shading in all the magnification ranges.

Abstract: A replacement apparatus for an optical element mounted between two adjacent optical elements in a lithography objective has a holder for the optical element to be replaced, which holder can be moved into the lithography objective through a lateral opening in a housing of the same.

Abstract: A microscope lens barrel includes an input port where observation light enters the microscope lens barrel; a plurality of output ports which the observation light goes out of the microscope lens barrel; an optical-path switching mechanism which selectively switches an optical path of the observation light to guide the observation light from the input port to at least one of the output ports; and a supporting part which supports the optical-path switching mechanism. The input port, the output ports, and the supporting part are integrally formed as a tubular body frame so that the input port, the output ports, and the supporting part are arranged at respective center positions of sidewalls of the tubular body frame.

Abstract: The size and production costs of an optical microscope apparatus capable of blocking light or maintaining the specimen environment are reduced. The provided optical microscope apparatus includes a microscope that has a stage for mounting a specimen A, a transmission-illumination optical system, and an detection optical system; and a housing that surrounds the microscope, wherein the housing includes a fixed housing, and a movable housing, wherein, among optical parts constituting the transmission-illumination optical system and the image-forming optical system, at least some optical parts disposed above the stage are movable, and wherein a switching mechanism is provided, the switching mechanism being configured to retract the optical parts away from above the stage when the movable housing is disposed in an open position relative to the fixed housing and to substantially align the optical axes of both optical systems when the movable housing is disposed in a closed position relative to the fixed housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and positioning optical components. The apparatus includes a substrate, one or more mounting slots, and one or more springs. The one or more mounting slots are formed in the substrate, and each mounting slot includes a mounting slot wall. At least one of the mounting slots is adapted to receive an optical component. At least one of the mounting slots is coupled to one of the springs.

Abstract: An arrangement for switching the operating modes of a microscope tube between the observation position, photo position and simultaneous observation/photo position. A prism is used having surfaces of different transparency which can be moved selectively into the beam path.

Abstract: The invention provides a microscope in which the utilization efficiency of light from light sources is high and which can use a bright, uniform line illumination. The microscope includes a plurality of light sources; a fly-eye lens having a plurality of lens elements arrayed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the light sources, the light sources being disposed at the focal points thereof; a cylindrical lens having a flat surface orthogonal to the optical axis of light emitted from the fly-eye lens, and a cylindrical surface whose longitudinal axis is disposed parallel to the arrayed direction of the fly-eye lens; and an objective lens that illuminates a specimen with light from the cylindrical lens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a focus detection apparatus. In the focus detection apparatus, a luminous flux deformation member is provided to deform a sectional shape of a luminous flux emitted from a light source, and thereby a light quantity difference and a light intensity difference are decreased in light beams which are emitted to a sample surface and received by a photodetector even if objective lenses to be used are differ from each other in a pupil diameter. Consequently, the sample is irradiated with a single spot or multi spots to determine whether or not a focused state is obtained.

Abstract: A microscope (10) is disclosed, having a revolving nosepiece (12) on which are mounted multiple objectives. The objectives (11) comprise multiple components 211, . . . 21n). A light-intensity-reducing layer (40) is applied onto at least one component of an objective. The light-intensity-reducing layer (40) is configured in such a way that for each objective introduced into the illumination beam path, the brightness behind it is of the same magnitude.

Abstract: An illumination device in a microscope includes multiple light sources arranged on a mirror housing. A mirror is provided which is rotatably or displaceably arranged in the mirror housing for selectably switching each of the light sources into an illumination beam path. At least one drive system is provided for rotating or displacing the mirror so as to switch one of the light sources at a time into the illumination beam path.

Abstract: A microscope according to the present invention includes an illumination element changer capable of selectively inserting any of a bright field illumination element, a dark field illumination element, and a fluorescence illumination element into an optical axis of an objective, a field stop disposed on the optical axis and limiting a visual field of the objective, an aperture stop disposed on the optical axis and limiting a pupil area of the objective, a filter member disposed on the optical axis and limiting a given ultraviolet wavelength range or adjusting a light quantity of illumination light of an illumination light source, a rotation shaft rotating in response to the changing movement of the illumination element changer, and an interlocking mechanism that brings the aperture stop, the field stop and the filter member into respective setting conditions corresponding to the selected illumination element in response to the rotation of the rotation shaft.

Abstract: An indexable microscope is described, that comprises a microscope stand and an optical beam path, having a plurality of optical components that are switchable into and out of the beam path, which are arranged on at least two independent mechanical assemblies to be indexed separately and are switchable selectably into and out of the beam path by indexing the respective assembly. According to the present invention, a space-saving and flexible arrangement of the separately indexable assemblies having the optical components is achieved in that a common central receiving plate is provided, on the upper side and the lower side of which at least one of the assemblies is respectively arranged. Configuration of the assemblies as rotary disks permits very flexible arrangements which allow both manual and motorized actuation of the indexing of the assemblies.

Abstract: The invention related to an epi illumination optical system for microscopes wherein both a simple yet bright Köhler illumination system and a collective lens array using a collective lens less susceptible of illumination fluctuations are easily interchangeable in simple constructions. The invention provides an epi illumination optical system for microscopes, with a microscope objective lens that also serves as a condenser lens, which also comprises a relay lens. The first illumination optical system comprises a light source, and a collector lens, and a second illumination optical system comprises a light source, a collimate lens and a lens array provided in an interchangeable way.

Abstract: A condenser arrangement for brightfield illumination and/or darkfield illumination for optical microscopes comprises in a housing basic optics having at least one lens, at least one front optics which can be inserted into the illumination beam path in front of the basic optics, and means for inserting the front optics into the illumination beam path of the microscope. A first swiveling arm and a second swiveling arm are swivelably arranged at the housing of the condenser. The first swiveling arm carries first front optics with a high aperture for brightfield illumination and the second swiveling arm carries second front optics for darkfield illumination. The two swiveling arms are arranged at a defined distance from the shared basic optics of the condenser in direction of the optical axis of the illumination beam path. An aperture iris diaphragm is provided on the object side in front of the basic optics and is opened when the cardioid optics are inserted.

Abstract: Microscope, especially stereoscopic microscope, with a main objective (2), a magnification system (8, 7) disposed thereafter, and a supplementary optical system (30, 32a) for carrying out intraocular surgery, wherein the supplementary optical system comprises at least one ophthalmoscopic lens (30a) disposed before the main objective lens (2) and at least one optical component (32a) disposed behind the main objective lens (2) for providing a refraction and a focussing of a viewing beam path passing through the main objective (2), and the optical axis (12d) of the magnification system (7) disposed behind the main objective extending essentially perpendicularly to the optical axis (11) of the main objective (2).