Method and apparatus for preventing application of excessive force between microscope objective and stage
US6507433B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B21/248
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for preventing excessive closure between a retractable tip objective and the stage of a microscope which includes positioning a sensor in the turret of a microscope, which sensor is capable of detecting excessive retracting of the retractable tip into the body of the objective, and providing a controller for monitoring the sensor for such excessive retracting and issuing an alert in response to the detection of an event of such excessive retracting. The alert may be made by way of an audio output, or by a visual cue or both. Extinguishing the lamp of the microscope is a preferred visual cue, as the excessive retracting of the retractable tip is generally caused by a focusing error, and the extinguishing of the light source reduces or eliminates the ability of the user of the microscope to focus the microscope, thus attracting his or her attention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.