Abstract: There is disclosed an inverted microscope comprising an objective lens disposed under a sample, a tube lens which is disposed in a light path of an observation light emitted from the objective lens and which forms the observation light into an image, an incident light illumination optical device which is disposed between the objective lens and the tube lens, and which introduces incident light illumination into the light path of the observation light, and an input/output port which is disposed between the incident light illumination optical device and the tube lens, and which splits a light flux from the light path of the observation light or introduces the light flux into the light path of the observation light.

Abstract: An in-situ microscope device for reactors, especially bioreactors, having an immersion tube in a reactor connecting port, which, inside the reactor, has an inlet for a sample area, also a microscope outer tube, which is coaxially placed inside the immersion tube and which, on the inner end with the objective, is directed toward the sample area that is located between an objective cover glass and an object support glass body arranged opposite the same. The exterior of the microscope outer tube is connected to a camera for recording the image of the sample area. Also included is a rinsing chamber having closeable openings, through which cleaning agents can be introduced, is connected to the exterior of the reactor connecting port, and that the immersion tube can move in an axial direction inside the connecting port and can be retracted until the inlet is in contact with the rinsing chamber in order to enable a cleaning of the sample area.

Abstract: An operating-microscope system including an operating microscope, a carrier system for the microscope, and at least one drive element that can be actuated by a switch and is intended for moving and/or focusing a microscope includes a sterilizable hand switch arranged on the operating table. The switch is positioned and configured so that the surgeon may actuate the switch to move and/or focus the microscope without releasing the operating instrument.

Abstract: A microscope for inspecting each optical fiber endface in a multi-fiber connector is disclosed. The microscope includes a tip for interfacing with the multi-fiber connector, a slider assembly connected to the tip, a slider chassis capable of constraining the movement of the slider assembly along an axis of motion, and a cam assembly which forces the slider assembly to move along its constrained axis of motion. The cam assembly is rotated preferably by means of a remotely located adjustment knob. This rotational motion of the cam assembly results in a force against the slider assembly which causes it to move along its constrained axis of motion and, hence, causes the translation of the optical imaging axis of the microscope along the same axis such that each optical fiber endface may be inspected.

Abstract: The microsurgical microscope system with a stand with three parallelogram linkages and a microscope arranged thereon is characterized in that a second parallelogram linkage and a third parallelogram linkage have a common bar inclined at an angle of approximately 30° to 60° to the vertical.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a motorized microscope with a plurality of electrically controlled microscope components such as objective nosepiece, filter turret, diaphragms, light path switching arrangements, illumination device, etc. which influence the light path in the microscope. In order to make an image from any situation visible quickly in the eyepieces, it is provided that an operator control, when actuated, moves all of these components into a position such that the light path from the illumination device to the eyepieces is opened.

Abstract: The microsurgical microscope system with a stand and with a parallelogram linkage is characterized in that a bar, which connects two substantially horizontal bars and to which the microscope is connected, also has a receiving device connected to it for accessory parts of the microscope and/or additional weights.

Abstract: The microsurgical microscope system with a stand with three parallelogram linkages and a microscope arranged thereon is characterized in that a second parallelogram linkage and a third parallelogram linkage have a common bar inclined at an angle of approximately 30° to 60° to the vertical.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining an optical viewing device, for example a microscope (8), on a stand having a parallelogram carrier arm (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), comprises an adjustable-length strut (6) acting through a pivot point of the carrier arm and an opposite link of the carrier arm. The strut (6) provides, in different variants, inclination adjustment, and/or vibration damping of the carriers arm.

Abstract: To specify a failure location in a semiconductor integrated circuit chip in operation, an emission image of a good semiconductor integrated circuit chip and an emission image of a target semiconductor integrated circuit chip to be subjected to failure analysis are detected and compared with each other to analyze a failure. As a test pattern generated by a function tester is supplied to good and defective semiconductor integrated circuit chips, hot electrons are emitted from where the operational semiconductor integrated circuit chip fails and are detected as an emission image by an emission analyzer. Then, an image processing unit performs image processing to subtract an emission image corresponding to the defective semiconductor integrated circuit chip from an emission image corresponding to a good semiconductor integrated circuit chip to extract the emission image of the failure location, which is displayed on a monitor.

Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus for changing objective lenses in a microscope, the microscope being used primarily with a microscope stage that has a so-called fixed stage arrangement. The disposition of the objective lens turret in the microscope makes it possible to avoid damaging manipulators or samples during an objective lens change. The damage is avoided due to a lateral tilt of the rotational axis of the objective lens turret relative to the first and the second side walls of the microscope. The lateral tilt of the turret also ensures that a particular part of the sample remains located in the field of view of the microscope after the lens change. The entire process of objective lens change, as well as the magnification setting and focusing necessary for the purpose, is performed in a completely automatic and motorized fashion.

Abstract: The surgical microscope with a stand, the microscope having altogether up to six degrees of freedom and being fixed on the microscope mounting by means of elements of the stand which has two vertical pivoting axes and for the height adjustment a parallelogram linkage with weight compensation is distinguished by the fact that the microscope is mounted on the stand by means of a third vertical axis, a first further axis perpendicular to said third vertical axis and a second further axis perpendicular to the first further axis, the further axes being designed such that they are essentially perpendicular to the optical axis of the microscope objective and can be adjusted by motor, and the further axis that is closer to the microscope permitting a lateral pivoting of the viewing direction and the further axis that is arranged between the third vertical axis and the further axis that is closer to the microscope permitting a pivoting of the viewing direction forward/backward or upward/downward.

Abstract: A microscope is disclosed that includes: a light source that emits light in a wavelength range that includes both visible and infrared wavelengths, an illuminating optical system for illuminating a specimen with the light from the light source, an objective lens for gathering light from the specimen and causing it to converge, a light beam dividing unit that divides the beam of light from the objective lens into plural divided light paths such that the wavelength ranges in the divided light paths differ from one another, a magnification conversion optical system in one of the divided light paths which converts the magnification of images formed by light in that divided light path, and an imaging device located in each of at least two of the divided light paths, wherein the objective lens has a magnifying power less than or equal to 32 and a numerical aperture greater than or equal to 0.80.

Abstract: Angular speed sensors and acceleration sensors are built into the casing of a video-type stereoscopic microscope. The angle of rotation of the stereoscopic microscope detected by the angular speed sensors and the amount of shift of the stereoscopic microscope detected by the acceleration sensors are input to a microscope control unit. This microscope control unit controls a vibration compensator based on the result of the detection. The vibration compensator shifts a lens within a plane orthogonal to its the optical axis so that object light from a field is deflected to a direction parallel to the optical axes of individual zoom optical systems.

Abstract: An arrangement for visual and quantitative three-dimensional examination of specimens, having a stereomicroscope (2). The stereomicroscope defines a first and a second observation beam path (4, 5), by way of which a specimen (6) to be examined can be visually observed. A confocal scanning device (1) is connected to the stereomicroscope (1) in such a way that a scanning beam path (3) defined by the confocal scanning device (1) scans the specimen (6) that is to be examined and in that context acquires data for a three-dimensional visual depiction of the specimen (6).

Abstract: There is disclosed a microscope focusing apparatus comprising a light illuminator, an objective lens, an observation tube, a holder which holds these, a focusing main body including a focusing movable portion which linearly and vertically moves, and an attaching portion, formed in the focusing movable portion, which fixes the holder, wherein the holder comprises a first holder including a first support, the first support disposed on an observation optical axis, which supports the light illuminator, and a second holder including a second support, the second support disposed outside the observation optical axis, which supports the light illuminator, and one of the first and second holders can be selectively attached to the attaching portion.

Abstract: A rough motion shaft 54 and a fine motion shaft 55 are provided on a front side of a stage 37 with respect to an optical axis of an observation optical system of a microscope. Further, a rough motion shaft 45 and a fine motion shaft 46 are provided on a rear side with respect to the optical axis. The rough motion shaft 54 and the fine motion shaft 55 are linked with the rough motion shaft 45 and the fine motion shaft 46 so as to move objective lenses 43 selectively in rough motion or fine motion. Objective lenses 43A, 43B are arranged in a circular shape on a fixing member 111 and a rotating member 113 is provided for rotating these objective lenses 43A, 43B along the direction of the arrangement. This rotating member 113 is provided with a weight 123 and this weight 123 applies a rotation force in inverse direction larger than a rotation force by a rotating body comprised of the rotating member 113 and the objective lenses 43A, 43B depending on a rotation angle of the rotating member 113.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a substrate includes a substrate holding member for holding a substrate to be inspected, a driving mechanism for raising the substrate holding member to a predetermined angle or less, a position coordinate detecting section provided at side edge of the substrate in at least two directions, for detecting coordinates of a defect present in the substrate, an observation system supporting section provided for supporting a micro observation system and moving on the surface of the substrate, and a controlling section for controlling of the movement of the micro observation system of the observation system supporting section to correspond to a defect present in the substrate, on the basis of the position coordinates of the defect detected by the position coordinate detecting section.

Abstract: This invention provides an angled-dual-axis confocal scanning microscope comprising a fiber-coupled, angled-dual-axis confocal head and a vertical scanning unit. The angled-dual-axis confocal head is configured such that an illumination beam and an observation beam intersect optimally at an angle &thgr; within an object. The vertical scanning unit causes the angled-dual-axis confocal head to move towards or away from the object, thereby yielding a vertical scan that deepens into the object, while keeping the optical path lengths of the illumination and observation beams unchanged so to ensure the optimal intersection of the illumination and observation beams in the course of vertical scanning. The angled-dual-axis confocal scanning microscope may further comprises a transverse stage, causing the object to move relative to the angled-dual-axis confocal head along transverse directions perpendicular to the vertical direction, thereby producing a transverse scan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stereomicroscope comprising an object observation unit and an electronic image unit. The object observation unit includes an objective lens barrel section and a binocular lens barrel section, with the binocular lens barrel section including an interpupillary adjusting mechanism in a light path following a first image plane. The electronic image unit includes an electronic image display device and a projection optical system The object observation unit has an object observation image that remains fixed in position at the first image plane during interpupillary adjustment of the binocular lens barrel section. The projected image from the electronic image display device is made to be substantially in focus at the first image plane. Images at the first image plane may be relayed to a second image plane.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave attenuating transparent member includes; a transparent base material, and a plurality of structural layers including at least one transparent conductive layer. Sheet resistivity of the electromagnetic wave attenuating transparent member is 100 &OHgr;/cm2 or less, and the plurality of structural layers include a first layer and a second layer which is provided to be farther than the first layer from the transparent base material, and has density which is higher than that of the first layer.

Abstract: A microscope collision protection apparatus for a remote control microscope which protects the optical and associated components from damage in the event of an uncontrolled collision with a specimen, regardless of the specimen size or shape. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a counterbalanced slide for mounting the microscope's optical components. This slide replaces the rigid mounts on conventional upright microscopes with a precision ball bearing slide. As the specimen contacts an optical component, the contacting force will move the slide and the optical components mounted thereon. This movement will protect the optical and associated components from damage as the movement causes a limit switch to be actuated, thereby stopping all motors responsible for the collision.

Abstract: A lens barrel for microscope comprises a first optical system (G1), a second optical system (G2), and a third optical system (G3) . The first optical system (G1) comprises a lens unit (G1L) which forms an intermediate image, a prism (P1), and deflecting mirrors (M1, M2). The second optical system (G2) comprises a deflecting mirror (M3) and a lens unit and converts an intermediate image by the lens unit (G1L) into a beam of parallel rays. The third optical system (G3) introduces the beam of parallel rays from the second optical system (G2) into an ocular. The deflecting mirror (M3) is configured to be turned around an axis normal to a center axis of the beam of rays from the first optical system (G1) and to a center axis of the beam of rays from the second optical system (G2) at the point P of intersection of these center axes.

Abstract: A crash protection mechanism for a microscope objective includes a tapered, self-centering combination of sleeves interposed between the objective and its housing in an interferometric profiler. A three-lobed, tapered inner sleeve is affixed to the objective, while a matingly tapered outer sleeve is attached to the objective housing. A spring-loaded mechanism urges the objective outward toward the sample surface, so that it can move inward axially under crash conditions and then return to its original axial position. The mating tapered sleeves create an outward seated position that provides a high degree of repeatability when the objective is returned to its position after a crash.

Abstract: An interactive process for sorting biological specimens includes the steps of processing a biological specimen to provide an analysis score, sorting the biological specimens according to the analysis score into categories including: clearly normal, interactive review, and microscopy review, and selecting a field-of-view (FOV) for the biological specimens sorted into the interactive review category.

Abstract: A light collecting optical system wherein the position where light is collected is scanned in the optical axis direction by using a wavefront converting element capable of changing power without using a mechanical device, and aberration occurring during the scanning is canceled by using the wavefront converting element to minimize the degradation of light collecting performance due to the scanning in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: An optical device and a viewing method having a higher magnification viewing area located substantially centrally in a lower magnification area, whereby the structure facilitates locating viewing object within in higher magnification viewing area.

Abstract: A cytological specimen analyzer includes an image capture apparatus, a mapper and a screening station. The mapper receives digital images of regions of a slide containing a cytological specimen and determines if each of the regions contains cytological material. The mapper analyzes the image of each region, pixel by pixel, and if the region contains cytological material then the coordinates of the region are stored along with a focal position for the region and a value indicative of the amount of cytological material in the region. Upon analysis of each region on the slide, the mapper determines the most efficient path to be traveled between regions containing cytological material to minimize the viewing time of an operator at the screening station. Upon request by the screening station, the sequence of the aforesaid coordinates, which is indicative of the most efficient path, are transmitted to the screening station.

Abstract: For focusing an operation microscope within a defined focusing range, a main objective and parts of an illuminating device are arranged in a focusing module that is separate from the microscope body. The focusing module is movable along the optical axis in a defined manner by means of manual or motor drives, so that focusing on a desired object detail is possible. Desired fine focusing can thus take place, in addition to coarse focusing by spatial positioning of the operation microscope by means of a stand. The advantages are a compact design, prevention of reflections through the main objective, and widely varied possibilities for filling of additional accessories.

Abstract: In an operation microscope, when an observation velocity of an observation field of a main microscope body is set to a desired velocity and then an observation magnification of the observation field of the main microscope body is changed and the focal point thereof is moved, each encoder detects changing of the observation magnification and moving of the focal point and then outputs a detection result to an arithmetic-logic unit. The arithmetic-logic unit calculates the drive condition that a moving velocity of the observation field of the main microscope body after the observation magnification is changed and the focal point is moved is a desired velocity, based on the detection result of each encoder. By using a Y-axis actuator, an X-axis actuator, a vertical direction moving unit and a horizontal direction moving unit, the main microscope body is moved under the control of a CPU in accordance with the drive condition obtained by the arithmetic-logic unit.

Abstract: In order to minimize the requsite expenditure of energy involved in a positional change of a microscope for the microsurgery mounted on a floor stand or suspended from a ceiling suspension mount that comprises a viewing element (17, an eyepiece (12), an objective (13), a beam divider (11) disposed between the viewing element (17) and a magnification power changer (12), in which the microscope is swivelably disposed in a suspension mount in such a way that a microscope swivel axis is located in the beam divider exit axis (A), the point of intersection of the microscope swivel axis (B) and the beam divider exit axis (A) is located at the center of gravity or within the immediate proximity of the center of gravity of the microscope (Fig.).

Abstract: A surgical microscope unit which is compact and operated lightly at high stability has first and second parallelogrammic linkages, interlocking mechanisms for interlocking the first and second parallelogrammic linkages, a counterweight connected to an arm of the second parallelogrammic linkage, flexible movement transmitting members for transmitting tilting movements of the microscope body around pivot axes directly to a tilting rod as tilting movements around pivot axes at the same ratio, and a movement controlling mechanism for limiting a moving locus of the tilting rod to a corresponding location at which the microscope unit is set. The pivot axes are arranged so that a triangle formed by connecting the pivot axes is similar to a triangle formed by connecting the pivot axes in a plane parallel with a plane including a vertical axis. Auxiliary counterweights are provided on members interlocking with either the first interlocking mechanism or the second interlocking mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stand for optical devices, wherein both the vertical length of a second parallel link 3 and the lateral length of weight-retaining arm 19 are retractable, whereby a counterweight W.sub.4 is moveable along a straight line X connecting the extremity of a supporting arm 9 and a rotational fulcrum S. Moving the counterweight W.sub.4 along the straight line X provides an easy and secured balance adjustment of the weight of operating microscope, etc. W.sub.1-3 both in horizontal and vertical directions.

Abstract: A stereotactic adapter on which a surgical therapeutic and/or diagnostic instrument is reproducibly mounted and attached to a surgical microscope that can be positioned in several spatial degrees of freedom. A position recognition system integrated in the surgical microscope permits safe positioning of the instrument used, given the geometric arrangement and the geometric dimensions of the surgical microscope, the adapter, and the instrument.

Abstract: A portable emission microscope for analyzing failures in an integrated circuit chip while the chip is contained within a wafer sorter. A base for the microscope is placed over an opening in the wafer sorter. A translational apparatus is attached to the base for lowering a charge coupled device camera into an opening in the wafer sorter. A compact housing containing microscope optics is coupled to the camera. Also, a flexible rubber boot is coupled to the microscope optics for shielding extraneous light from entering the camera. A vibration reducing apparatus is coupled to the microscope optics for preventing movement of the camera relative to the chip. The vibration reducing apparatus fits within the rubber boot and is a rigid, hollow cylinder having an adjustable length. The microscope optics view the chip through the cylinder.

Abstract: An illuminating device for a stereo microscope having an objective with variable imaging focal intercept includes first coupling mechanism, which effects a coupling between the imaging focal intercept of the objective and the likewise adjustable focal intercept of the illuminating optical system, separate from the observation optics, in such a manner that the illuminating focal intercept is in agreement with the imaging focal intercept of the objective. Moreover, adjusting mechanism is provided for the defined adjustment of the diameter of the illuminated field. In particular, the illuminating device is suitable for a surgical microscope.

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: An automatic focus detection device for microscopes includes an optical system for forming an image of a sample; an image sensor for photoelectrically converting an optical image derived from the optical system; a device for storing image data such that an electric signal obtained from the image sensor is converted from analog to digital form and for processing the image data to compute contrast values; a device for comparing the contrast values; a device for moving an objective lens or a stage for the sample; and a device for storing the position of the objective lens or the stage.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing the focus in a microscope (1) is described which has an objective (2) and a specimen stage (3), constructed in a movable fashion, for the purpose of setting the focus. The specimen stage (3) is constructed such that it can be moved via a toothed rack (4) and a drive gear (5) along the optical axis (22) of the objective (2). When the microscope (1) is heated by integrated electronic components (6) and/or an illuminating device (7), the body (13) of the microscope expands, and the microscope (1) is thereby defocused. Two rods (8 and 9) connected to one another, which have a different thermal expansion, are arranged between the toothed rack (4) and the specimen stage (3) for the purpose of compensating for the defocusing.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing counteracting force to overcome the off-center weight of a microscope assembly without counterweights. The apparatus is a microscope balance compensator which uses springs or gas pistons to compensate for a change in a moment developed in a microscope assembly when attachments are added or removed or when the tilt angle of the microscope is changed. The microscope balance compensator includes one device for applying counteracting force about a tilt axis and another device for applying counteracting force about a tip axis oriented perpendicular to the tilt axis. Each counteracting force is applied at discrete angles relative to the pivot centers and is adjustable. The apparatus provides balance compensation over a wide range without adding counterweight, thereby minimizing the total weight of the microscope.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical unit which is primarily intended to provide visual references for measuring machines such as coordinate measuring machines, milling machines, EDM machines, tape and computer controlled drilling machines, etc. The optical unit has a motor driven zoom lens within a lens housing, and an optical coupling for a video camera. The zoom lens assembly of this invention is a modification of that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,878 to include a stepper drive motor and a rotational position encoder which provides the necessary lens information to determine the power of magnification of the lens at any instant position. The preferred encoder includes a disc mounted on the barrel of the zoom lens which has a plurality of slots about its periphery at equal angular increments, and a photo-optical sensor which counts light pulses and generates a pulsed electrical signal as the disc rotates beside the sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for machine reading of identification marks incised on semiconductor wafers. Preferred apparatus makes it possible to view the mark either as a dark image on a light background (which is in itself novel) or as a light image on a dark background. Using a television camera and an optical character reader, the viewing method can be changed automatically if a preset confidence level is not reached, and provides a signal if neither method (or the combination of the two methods) gives a satisfactory result. The method is particularly useful for successively reading the identification marks on a number of wafers stacked in a cassette. Preferred apparatus for such reading comprises a wafer support which can be pushed upwards from underneath the cassette so that the wafer to be identified rests on one ledge of the support and the adjacent wafer rests on another higher ledge on the support, thus exposing and precisely locating the identification mark on the first wafer.

Abstract: In a stand apparatus for a medical optical instrument, a first link mechanism including a first pantograph arrangement has a proximal end which is mounted on a body having a horizontal groove. The body is rotatable about a vertical axis. The first pantograph arrangement has an intermediate section which is slidably engaged within the horizontal groove. The first pantograph arrangement reciprocating linearly along a horizontal direction has a forward end on which a horizontal moving element having a vertical groove is mounted. A second link mechanism including a second pantograph arrangement has a proximal end which is mounted on the horizontal moving element. The second pantograph arrangement has an intermediate section which is slidably engaged within the vertical groove in the horizontal moving element. The medical optical instrument is supported at a forward end of the second pantograph arrangement which reciprocates linearly along a vertical direction.

Abstract: A microscope placeable on a table comprises a bodytube for holding an optical system, a stage on which a specimen is placed, a stand for supporting the bodytube and the stage, a base supporting the stand and having a bottom surface which is placed upon the upper surface of the table, a focusing operation member rotatively operably provided on the stand for moving one of the bodytube and the stage along the optical axis, and a hand-placing portion protruded from a side of the base and provided near the focusing operation member and formed so that the lower end of the protruded portion may be spaced apart by at least a predetermined distance from a plane containing the bottom surface.