US 12,147,021 B2
Microscope, method of operating a microscope and method of imaging a sample
Petr Strnad, Lausanne (CH); and Andrea Boni, Basel (CH)
Assigned to VIVENTIS MICROSCOPY SÀRL, Lausanne (CH)
Filed by VIVENTIS MICROSCOPY SÀRL, Lausanne (CH)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/152,572.
Application 18/152,572 is a continuation of application No. 16/632,074, granted, now 11,579,428, previously published as PCT/EP2018/069733, filed on Jul. 20, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 00946/17 (CH), filed on Jul. 20, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0161142 A1, May 25, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04N 9/47 (2006.01); G02B 21/00 (2006.01); G02B 21/26 (2006.01); G02B 21/33 (2006.01); H04N 23/54 (2023.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01); H04N 23/56 (2023.01); H04N 23/75 (2023.01); H04N 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 21/0032 (2013.01) [G02B 21/0048 (2013.01); G02B 21/26 (2013.01); G02B 21/33 (2013.01); H04N 23/54 (2023.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01); H04N 23/56 (2023.01); H04N 23/75 (2023.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A microscope for imaging a sample, comprising:
at least one illumination objective arranged to eject an illumination light beam along an illumination path to illuminate the sample;
an imaging objective arranged to receive detection light comprising at least a portion of the light ejected from the sample, wherein the detection light is propagated along a detection axis angled preferably at about 90° to the illumination path and wherein the imaging objective has an imaging focal plane;
a sample holder arranged to receive a sample and having a transparent portion which is transparent to the illumination light beam and to the detection light, wherein the transparent portion of the sample holder tapers along the detection axis into a rounded bottom, wherein the sample holder has an interior which is open in an upward direction, and wherein the imaging objective is positioned substantially below the sample holder;
a holder support arranged to receive the sample holder and to displace the sample holder relative to the imaging objective wherein the holder support has a drive system arranged to displace the sample holder; and
wherein the imaging objective is positioned to be directed essentially against a direction of gravity and the at least one illumination objective is positioned to be directed essentially perpendicular to the direction of gravity.