Microscope and System Comprising Such a Microscope for Examination of an Incubated Sample and Corresponding Method

A system for microscopic examination of a sample comprising:

• a microscope comprising a microscope housing enclosing an illumination optics, a microscope stage and an imaging optics;
• an integrated sample chamber located within the microscope housing and formed by a separated housing section within said microscope housing;
• the housing section comprising a lid providing direct access to the microscope stage for placing the sample in the sample chamber;
• and
• an incubation environment conditioning unit being connected to the microscope via said microscope interface;
• wherein said housing section comprises an interface for connecting an external incubation environment conditioning unit to the sample chamber, the interface for connection of an external incubation environment conditioning unit and the sample chamber, such that environmental conditions in the sample chamber can be controlled when the external incubation environment conditioning unit is connected to the interface.

A method for microscopic examination of a sample comprising:

• equipping a microscope with an external incubation environment conditioning unit for incubating a sample chamber of the microscope, said microscope comprising:
• a microscope housing enclosing an illumination optics, a microscope stage and an imaging optics;
• an integrated sample chamber located within the microscope housing and formed by a separated housing section within said microscope housing;
• the housing section comprising a lid providing direct access to the microscope stage for placing the sample in the sample chamber, said housing section comprising an interface for connecting the external incubation environment conditioning unit to the sample chamber;
• configuring the interface to provide a connection between said external incubation environment conditioning unit and the sample chamber, such that the environmental conditions in the sample chamber can be controlled when the external incubation environment conditioning unit is connected to the interface;
• and
• connecting the incubation environment conditioning unit to the microscope via the interface.

An incubated system comprising:

• a microscope for microscopic examination of a sample comprising:
• a microscope housing enclosing an illumination optics, a microscope stage and an imaging optics;
• an integrated sample chamber located within the microscope housing and formed by a separated housing section within said microscope housing;
• and
• the housing section comprising a hinged lid providing direct access to the microscope stage for placing the sample in the sample chamber;
• wherein said housing section comprises an interface for connection of an external incubation environment conditioning unit to the sample chamber, the interface being configured to provide a connection between said external incubation environment conditioning unit and the sample chamber, such that environmental conditions in the sample chamber can be controlled when the external incubation environment conditioning unit is connected to the interface;
• and
• an external incubation environment conditioning unit comprising at least one protruding conduit for insertion into an at least one opening of the interface, the external incubation environment conditioning unit configured to be coupled to an outside of the interface and serving to provide at least one conduit incubation atmosphere into the sample chamber.