# US 2014/0153089 A1 · Device for focusing a microscope objective on a sample

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- Number: US 2014/0153089 A1
- Document ID: US20140153089A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/171,614
- Filed: 2014-02-03
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2010-11-26
- Assignees: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
- Applicants: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
- Inventors: Michael Ganser
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153089A1

## CPC

- G02B 21/26: Stages; Adjusting means therefor
- G02B 21/241: {Devices for focusing (focusing in general G02B7/28)}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A device for focusing a microscope objective on a sample accurately with a high spatial resolution. The device has a positioning unit having a main body, an objective holder movably supported on the main body and adapted to hold the microscope objective, and an actuator for moving the objective holder along the optical axis of the microscope objective. The objective holder holds the microscope objective only at a front portion of the microscope objective facing the sample. The positioning unit includes one or more lever arms, each of which coupled at its one end via a first flexure bearing to the main body and at its other end via a second flexure bearing to the objective holder. The main body of the positioning unit is attached to a stage that carries the sample.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for focusing a microscope objective on a sample that is positioned on a stage, said device comprising:
a positioning unit having a main body;
an objective holder movably supported on the main body for holding the microscope objective; and
an actuator for moving the objective holder along the optical axis of the microscope objective; wherein
the objective holder holds the microscope objective only at a front portion of the microscope objective facing the sample;
the positioning unit comprises one or more lever arms, each of which having a first end and a second end and is coupled at its first end via a first elastic solid state hinge to the main body and at its second end via a second elastic solid state hinge to the objective holder; and
the main body of the positioning unit is attached to the stage on which the sample is arranged.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, further comprising two lever arms arranged parallel to one another and forming together with the main body and the objective holder a parallelogram configuration.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a piezoceramic element that is integrated into the main body of the positioning unit.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
the objective holder includes a ring having an internal thread;
the microscope objective has an external thread on its front portion facing the sample; and
the internal thread of the ring is threaded onto said external thread.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
the total length of the microscope objective along the optical axis lies in a range from 1.7 Inch to 2.6 Inch (45 to 65 mm);
the length of the front portion facing the sample at which the microscope objective is held ranges from 0.1 to 0.4 Inch (2 to 10 mm) along the optical axis; and
the focal length of the microscope objective is in the range from 0.1 to 0.2 Inch (2 to 4 mm).

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A microscope having a device according to claim 1 for focusing a microscope objective on a sample.