Device for microscopic examination

• US 10,330,909 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2013
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
• Original Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
• Inventors: Kern, Peter, Treichel, Rainer
• Primary Examiner(s): Hansell, Jr., Richard A
• Application Number:
  US14/092,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20140146158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,036 Days
• Field of Search: 348 79
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/16 adapted for ultraviolet illumination ; Fluorescence microscopes G02B21/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/24 Base structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/26 Stages; Adjusting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/36 arranged for photographic purposes or projection purposes G02B21/18 takes precedenceor digital imaging or video purposes including associated control and data processing arrangements image data processing per se G06T
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/362 Mechanical details, e.g. mountings for the camera or image sensor, housings G02B21/364 takes precedence

Abstract

A device for microscopic examination includes an image output unit, at least two image input units, which are arranged in a spatially distributed manner and which have different sample receiving regions, at least one object carrier unit which supports at least one sample, in particular at least one biological sample, and includes a coupling unit, which couples the image output unit and one of the at least two image input units optically to form a microscope unit.

Claims

1. A device for microscopic examination, comprising:

an image output unit having a camera;

a multiple carrier structure;

a first object carrier unit, mounted to the multiple carrier structure, including a primary first sample container attached to the first object carrier unit, configured to support a primary first sample in a stationary manner in the first sample container, and a second object carrier unit, mounted to the multiple carrier structure, including a secondary first sample container attached to the second object carrier unit, configured to support a secondary first sample in a stationary manner in the secondary first sample container;

a first image input unit, which is mounted at least substantially rotationally to the first allocated object carrier unit;

a second image input unit, which is mounted at least substantially rotationally to the second allocated object carrier unit;

a coupling unit coupler configured to selectively optically couple the image output unit and one of the first and second image input units to form a microscope unit;

at least one deflection element deflector configured to deflect a beam path of an image, whereby the deflection element deflector sets an image transmission path that contains a change of direction, which enables the optical coupling; and

at least one derotator unit arranged in a beam path between at least one of the first and second image input units and the image output unit, wherein the first and second object carrier units are embodied as centrifuges, the image output unit is static, while the image input unit is rotationally coupled to an allocated object carrier unit, and has an ocular lens configured to magnify an image of one of the samples picked up by one of the first and second image input units, and the first and second image input units are configured to rotate relative to the whole image output unit at the same rotational speed as the respective first and second object carrier units.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the microscope unit is embodied in a multipartite fashion in a mounted and aligned state.

3. The device according to claim 1, comprising at least one speed halving rotator by means of which the derotator rotates at least substantially at half a rotational speed of the at least one image input unit.

4. The device according to claim 1, comprising at least one channel switch which is provided for switching the image output unit between different sample channels each of which is allocated to one sample.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the channel switch has at least one image output switch which is provided for moving or positioning the at least one image output unit between at least two working positions each of which is allocated to at least one sample channel.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the channel switch has at least one image input switch which is provided for switching at least one of the first and second image input units between a plurality of sample channels.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the image input switch changes over the at least one of the first and second image input units by a rotational movement between a plurality of sample channels.

8. The device at least according to claim 4, comprising the multiple carrier structure, at which the channel switch, the image output unit and the first and second object carrier units and respective first and second image input units are arranged.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second object carrier units is embodied as a multiple sample carrier unit at which a plurality of samples is arranged.

10. The device at least according to claim 8, wherein the multiple carrier structure is embodied as a polygon structure, whereas the two object carrier units are mounted on two side faces of the polygon structure.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein to each sample a separate image input unit is allocated.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the microscope unit is embodied as a fluorescence microscope unit.

13. A method of using the device according to claim 1 under conditions of reduced gravitational force.

15. The device according to claim 1,

wherein the first image input unit is mounted onto a housing mounted rotatably on a rotary carrier, wherein the rotary carrier is laterally enclosed by the first object carrier unit.

16. The device according to claim 1,

wherein the first and second image input units each has a revolving nosepiece with a plurality of objective lenses, which can be selected in a suitable manner.

19. The device according to claim 1, further comprising

at least third and fourth object carrier units mounted to the multiple carrier structure,

wherein

each of the third and fourth object carrier units is separately embodied as a centrifuge.

14. A device for microscopic examination comprising

an image output unit having a camera,

a multiple carrier structure,

at least two object carrier units, mounted to the multiple carrier structure, which support at least one sample, in particular at least one biological sample, and comprising,

at least two image input units, which are mounted at least substantially rotationally to the first allocated object carrier unit and the second allocated object carrier unit, which are arranged in a spatially distributed manner and which are associated with different sample containers,

a coupler, which couples the image output unit and one of the at least two image input units optically to form a microscope unit,

wherein the image output unit is optically connected to the at least one image input unit via at least one deflector that deflects a beam path of an image, whereby the deflector sets an image transmission path that contains a change of direction,

wherein the at least one object carrier unit is embodied as a centrifuge,

wherein at least one of the image input units is mounted at least substantially rotationally to the at least one allocated object carrier unit, which supports the at least one of the different sample containers in a stationary manner, and rotates relative to the whole image output unit,

wherein the image output unit is static, while the at least one image input unit is rotationally coupled to the at least one allocated object carrier unit and wherein the image output unit is optically connected to the at least one image input unit via at least one deflector, and

wherein the image transmission path is embodied in a non-rectilinear fashion by means of a deflector.

17. A device for microscopic examination comprising

an image output unit having a camera,

a multiple carrier structure,

at least two object carrier units, mounted to the multiple carrier structure, which support at least one sample, in particular at least one biological sample, in a stationary manner,

at least two image input units, which are mounted at least substantially rotationally to the first allocated object carrier unit and the second allocated object carrier unit, which are arranged in a spatially distributed manner and which are associated with different sample containers,

at least one channel switch which is provided for switching the image output unit between different sample channels each of which is allocated to one sample,

wherein the object carrier unit comprises a coupler, which couples the image output unit and one of the at least two image input units optically to form a microscope unit,

wherein the image output unit is optically connected to the at least one image input unit via at least one deflector that deflects a beam path of an image, whereby the deflector sets an image transmission path that contains a change of direction,

wherein the at least one object carrier unit is embodied as a centrifuge,

wherein at least one derotator is arranged in a beam path between at least one image input unit and the image output unit,

wherein at least one of the image input units is mounted at least substantially rotationally to at least one allocated object carrier unit, which supports the at least one of the different sample containers in a stationary manner, and rotates relative to the whole image output unit at the same rotational speed as the object carrier unit,

wherein the image output unit is static and

wherein the image output unit has an ocular lens for magnified imaging of an image of one of the samples picked up by means of one of the image input units.

18. A device for microscopic examination comprising

an image output unit having a camera,

a multiple carrier structure,

at least two object carrier units, mounted to the multiple carrier structure, which support at least one sample, in particular at least one biological sample, in a stationary manner,

at least two image input units, which are mounted at least substantially rotationally to the first allocated object carrier unit and the second allocated object carrier unit, which are arranged in a spatially distributed manner and which are associated with different sample containers,

at least one channel switch which is provided for switching the image output unit between different sample channels each of which is allocated to one sample,

wherein the channel switch has, for each of the object carrier units, an image input switch, which is provided for switching the image input unit, which is allocated to the respective object carrier unit, between a plurality of sample channels,

wherein the object carrier unit comprises a coupler, which couples the image output unit and one of the at least two image input units optically to form a microscope unit,

wherein the image output unit is optically connected to the at least one image input unit via at least one deflector that deflects a beam path of an image, whereby the deflector sets an image transmission path that contains a change of direction,

wherein the at least one object carrier unit is embodied as a centrifuge,

wherein at least one derotator is arranged in a beam path between at least one image input unit and the image output unit,

wherein at least one of the image input units is mounted at least substantially rotationally to at least one allocated object carrier unit, which supports the at least one of the different sample containers in a stationary manner, and rotates relative to the whole image output unit at the same rotational speed as the object carrier unit,

wherein the image output unit is static and

wherein the image output unit has an ocular lens for magnified imaging of an image of one of the samples picked up by means of one of the image input units.