Methods and systems for controlling a surgical microscope. Moveable optics of the surgical microscope are controlled using two sets of control parameters, to reduce jitter and image instability. Shifts in the image due to changes in temperature or due to the use of optical filter can also be compensated. Misalignment between the mechanical axis and the optical axis of the surgical microscope can also be corrected.

A surgical microscope for generating an image of an object region includes an eyepiece and an objective conjointly defining a viewing beam path, an image capturing device and a beam path switching device for out-coupling image information. The switching device is switchable between a first switching state wherein light in the viewing beam path is split into a first component along a first beam path to the eyepiece at an intensity IT1 and a second component along a second beam path to the image capturing device at an intensity IT2 and a second switching state wherein the light in the viewing beam path is deflected into the second beam path to the image capturing device at an intensity IU. The switching device includes a beam splitter movable in and out of the viewing beam path and a deflecting element movable into and out of the viewing beam path.

A surgical microscope for generating an image of an object region includes an eyepiece and an objective conjointly defining a viewing beam path, an image capturing device and a beam path switching device for out-coupling image information. The switching device is switchable between a first switching state wherein light in the viewing beam path is split into a first component along a first beam path to the eyepiece at an intensity IT1 and a second component along a second beam path to the image capturing device at an intensity IT2 and a second switching state wherein the light in the viewing beam path is deflected into the second beam path to the image capturing device at an intensity IU. The switching device includes a beam splitter movable in and out of the viewing beam path and a deflecting element movable into and out of the viewing beam path.

A confocal scanner mounted on a microscope includes a linear light source configured to emit linear light, a linear detector including a linear detection unit detecting incident light for each line, and a moving mechanism configured to translationally move the linear light source and the linear detector with respect to the microscope. The linear light source and the linear detector are disposed so as to have a positional relationship in which the linear light source and the linear detector correspond to each other within an imaging surface at conjugate positions with respect to a focal plane of the microscope.

A confocal scanner mounted on a microscope includes a linear light source configured to emit linear light, a linear detector including a linear detection unit detecting incident light for each line, and a moving mechanism configured to translationally move the linear light source and the linear detector with respect to the microscope. The linear light source and the linear detector are disposed so as to have a positional relationship in which the linear light source and the linear detector correspond to each other within an imaging surface at conjugate positions with respect to a focal plane of the microscope.

Apparatus and methods for measuring infrared absorption of a sample that includes delivering a pulse of infrared radiation to a region of the sample, delivering pulses of radiation of a shorter wavelength than infrared radiation to a sub-region within the region, and using one or more properties of the induced photoacoustic signals to create a signal indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample.

Apparatus and methods for measuring infrared absorption of a sample that includes delivering a pulse of infrared radiation to a region of the sample, delivering pulses of radiation of a shorter wavelength than infrared radiation to a sub-region within the region, and using one or more properties of the induced photoacoustic signals to create a signal indicative of infrared absorption of the sub-region of the sample.

Methods and systems are provided for an imaging system. In one example, the imaging system includes a plurality of microscope assemblies arranged radially around a central axis of the imaging system, coupled to vertically oriented plates with a set of objectives arranged at tops of the plurality of microscope assemblies and wherein the plates are oriented to extend away from the central axis in a radial direction to form an x-shaped configuration.

Methods and systems are provided for an imaging system. In one example, the imaging system includes a plurality of microscope assemblies arranged radially around a central axis of the imaging system, coupled to vertically oriented plates with a set of objectives arranged at tops of the plurality of microscope assemblies and wherein the plates are oriented to extend away from the central axis in a radial direction to form an x-shaped configuration.

Methods and systems are provided for a microscope assembly. In one example, the microscope assembly include an objective arranged at a top of a plate and aligned with a first side of the plate and a tube lens positioned below the objective along the first side of the plate and spaced away from the objective. The assembly further includes a laser auto-focus oriented parallel with a height of the plate and a light source coupled to a central region of the front face of the plate, between the tube lens and the laser auto-focus.