Culture observation apparatus

Abstract

A culture observation apparatus, which is used for observing a cultured cell while culturing the cell, includes a culture device that cultures the cultured cell, and a microscope used for observing the cultured cell. The culture device includes a first space that is controlled to an environment suitable for culture of the cell, and a second space that is controlled to a lower humidity condition in comparison with the first space. The microscope includes an objective optical unit including an objective lens; the objective optical unit having at least one portion located in the second space, and another portion extending into the first space through an opening formed in a partition wall that separates the first space and the second space, with a gap between the objective optical unit and the partition wall being sealed by a sealing member, and the objective lens includes a plurality of lens groups, with mutual spaces among the lens groups vented to the second space.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.