Microscopy system and method using an immersion liquid

A method comprising:

• providing a microscopy device for viewing or imaging a sample disposed on a sample holder, the microscopy device comprising:
• a first liquid immersion objective lens having a three-dimensional orientation, said first liquid immersion objective lens being a turretless objective lens;
• a first liquid application location at which said sample holder cannot be placed, and a second location, different from said first location, at which said sample holder may be placed;
• an apparatus detached from said first liquid immersion objective lens and disposed at said first liquid application location, configured to apply a liquid to said first liquid immersion objective lens when said first liquid immersion objective lens is disposed at a first liquid application position beneath said apparatus;
• said apparatus further comprising at least one of (a) a weighing mechanism and an associated controller to calculate the amount of liquid applied to the first turretless liquid immersion objective lens on the basis of weight, (b) a mechanism for recording the number of drops of liquid applied to the first turretless liquid immersion objective lens and, on the basis of a calibrated average volume of a drop of liquid, calculate the amount of liquid applied to the first turretless liquid immersion objective lens;
• (c) a mechanism for calculating the amount of liquid removed from a liquid reservoir, whereby to calculate the amount of liquid applied to the first turretless liquid immersion objective lens;
• and
• a mechanism configured to move said first liquid immersion objective lens in XYZ coordinate space, without changing the three-dimensional orientation of said first liquid immersion objective lens, from said first liquid application position to a second scanning position having different X and Y coordinates than said first liquid application position, and in which said second scanning position liquid on said first objective lens is in contact with said sample holder when said sample holder is emplaced in said second location,
• the microscopy device further comprising a controller that, when said first liquid immersion objective lens is loaded with liquid and placed at said second scanning position and then moved along the Z axis toward the sample holder, enables determination of an in-focus Z-axis position,
• the microscopy device having placed therein, at said second location, a sample holder containing a sample;
• using said apparatus to apply a liquid to said first liquid immersion objective lens located at said first liquid application position;
• and
• moving the first liquid immersion objective lens having said liquid disposed thereupon to said second scanning position.