Optical: systems and elements – Compound lens system – Microscope
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-09
2001-11-06
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Compound lens system
Microscope
C359S381000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06313944
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a microscope. More particularly, this invention pertains to a lens turret assembly used in a microscope.
2. Description of the Related Art
Microscopes often have turrets with multiple objective lenses. The turret, by its rotation, provides selection of objective lenses at will. Also, microscopes are frequently equipped with multiples of different illuminators for observation. For example, some microscopical observations involve caged reagents. Caged reagents are ordinarily in an inert state. When exposed to intense ultraviolet light, though, cleavage occurs only in those areas exposed to light and the reagent is activated in that area. These caged reagents are administered to biological specimens for observation. By casting intense ultraviolet light only on specific areas of the observed specimen one wishes to see, the caged reagent is cleaved and activated in that area. Then specific light is cast on the observed specimen by an epi-fluorescent illuminator and the biological specimen is observed in a state of fluorescent illumination by a microscope.
In microscope observations where caged reagents, like those described above, are used, two kinds of illumination devices are needed; that is, an intense, epi-ultraviolet light illuminator that causes the caged reagent to cleave and become activated, and an epi-fluorescent illuminator that stimulates the observed specimen and renders it observable through fluorescent light. Thus, microscopes with an epi-fluorescent illuminator in the microscope base also need to add an epi-ultraviolet light illuminator, to cleave caged reagents, stacked in the optical axis direction.
Moreover, a photographic device like a CCD camera can be used in the upper part of a microscope barrel lens in order to render specimens observable by television cameras. In even more sophisticated microscopes, focal point detectors can be provided with auto-focus functions. Some focal point detectors are detachable from the microscope, while others are housed in the microscope. Japanese Laid Open Patent Report Hei 4-260015 discloses an example of a focal point detector having three photographic elements: one for the pre-focus position,another for the accurate focus position, and the other for the post-focus position. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,827 discloses the detection of light from a specimen via a divided sensor. One half of the optical path in the detector is used to cast light, and the other half is used to receive light.
Additional illuminators, as mentioned above, require new space for microscopes commonly equipped with a single illuminator in microscope bases. Thus, problems arise for up-light microscopes because the addition of illuminators causes the eye point position to become too high, the original observing positioning to change, and the workability to become poor. For inverted microscopes, problems occur in that the stage level becomes too high and, as mentioned earlier, the workability becomes poor. Also, dimensional compatibility with auxiliary equipment, such as a micromanipulator, may be jeopardized when the stage level is charged.
Also, some microscopes have conversion mechanisms in the optical path of the illuminator in the microscope base to allow switching between the optical path of the illuminator and that of another illuminator. However, such devices are complex and costly. Moreover, when a microscope is provided with photographic devices, focal point detectors, and other such optical detectors, the microscope becomes large due to the space necessary for the devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a turret and a microscope provided with an illuminator or an optical detector that efficiently uses space provided by a tilted lens turret. Other advantages and purpose of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages and purpose of the invention will be realized and attained by the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention comprises a microscope turret assembly comprising a turret, rotatably mountable to a support member, for retaining a plurality of objective lenses and enabling the selection of one observing objective lens from the plurality of the objective lenses by rotation of the turret. The support member is attachable to a microscope main body at an angle relative to a reference plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the observing objective lens, thereby creating a space between the turret and the reference plane. Located in the space is reflective means for cooperating with one of an illuminator capable of casting light on an observed specimen through the observing objective lens and an optical detector capable of detecting light from the observed specimen through the observing objective lens.
In another aspect of the invention, the space is defined by an underside surface of the turret and the reference plane. The reference plane passes through an end of the turret that is oriented toward a plane of rotation of the turret and is furthest away from the optical axis. The reference plane is orthogonal to an optical axis of the observing objective lens.
In another aspect of the invention, the reflective means does not protrude beyond the reference plane.
Still in another aspect of the invention, the support member is removably attached to the microscope main body.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the support member has an integral casing to store at least one of the illuminator and the optical detector located in the space.
In another aspect of the invention, the support member has a storage member to store entirely at least one of the illuminator and the optical detector.
In another aspect of the invention, the illuminator is an epi-fluorescent illuminator.
In still another aspect of the invention, the illumination device is a caged reagent cleaving illuminator.
In another aspect of the invention, the illuminator is a laser manipulation optical system.
In another aspect of the invention, the illuminator is a confocal optical system creating a confocal microscope.
In another aspect of the invention, the optical detector is a focal point detector.
Another aspect of the invention lies in the provision of a microscope comprising a turret, rotatably mountable to a support member, for retaining a plurality of objective lenses and enabling the selection of one observing objective lens from the plurality of objective lenses by rotation of the turret. The support member is attachable to a main body of the microscope at an angle relative to a reference plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the observing objective lens creating a space between the turret and the reference plane. An illuminator capable of casting light on an observed specimen through the objective lens is also provided. Reflective means for the illuminator is located in the space.
In another aspect of the invention, a microscope comprises a turret, rotatably mountable to a support member, for retaining a plurality of objective lenses and enabling the selection of one observing objective lens from the plurality of the objective lenses by rotation of the turret. The support member is attachable to a microscope main body at an angle relative to a reference plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the observing objective lens creating a space between the turret and the plane. An optical detector capable of detecting light from an observed specimen through the objective lens is also provided. Reflective means for the optical detector is located in the space.
In another aspect of the invention, an imaging element included in the optical detector is located in the space.
In another aspect of the invention, a microscope turret assembly is provided tha
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Nikon Corporation
Spyrou Cassandra
Treas Jared
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