Apparatus for objective changing and microscope having an apparatus for objective changing
AssigneeLeica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH
InventorJohann Engelhardt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The apparatus for objective changing comprises an inventory of at least one objective (5) which defines a longitudinal axis (6). The objective change between an objective storage position (22) and a reference objective position (5a) is made possible by the apparatus, and the reference objective position (5a) lies within an optical beam path that defines an optical axis (3). A retaining element defines the reference objective position (5a), and during the objective change, the objective (5) with its longitudinal axis (6) is movable, in the vicinity of the retaining element (26), substantially coaxially with the optical axis (3). The objective change is accomplished along a guide rail (17).
Claims15
In a microscope defining an optical axis and comprising an apparatus for changing one or more objectives, the apparatus comprising:
- an inventory of at least one objective having a longitudinal axis;
- an objective storage position and a reference objective position, the reference objective position being defined by a retaining element, the objective storage position being elevated relative to the reference objective position;
- the retaining element being disposed in the apparatus to receive at least one objective in the reference objective position, the longitudinal axis of at least one objective in the reference objective position received by the retaining element coinciding with the optical axis of the microscope;
- and
- mechanical means for moving at least one objective of the inventory from the objective storage position to the reference objective position.
A microscope for examining a specimen, the microscope defining an optical axis, the microscope comprising:
- an objective changing device comprising:
- an inventory of at least one objective having a longitudinal axis;
- an objective storage position and a reference objective position, the reference objective position being defined by a retaining element, the objective storage position being elevated relative to the reference objective position;
- the retaining element being disposed in the apparatus to receive at least one objective in the reference objective position, the longitudinal axis of at least one objective in the reference objective position received by the retaining element coinciding with the optical axis of the microscope;
- and
- mechanical means for moving at least one objective of the inventory from the objective storage position to the reference objective position;
- a specimen stage for holding thc specimen, the specimen stage being disposed along the optical axis;
- and
- means for manipulating the specimen during the examination of the specimen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.